The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has recognized Bataan as the 2023 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit (LGU) in the province-level category during the 49th Philippine Business Conference and Expo.
This marks the third time the province has achieved the accolade, having previously won in 2018 and 2021.
In his message, Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III expressed gratitude to the PCCI for the recognition.
He vowed to continue working on the provincial government’s commitment to establishing a thriving local economy, providing opportunities for every Bataeño, and ensuring that no one would be left behind.
Garcia also commended entrepreneurs and all the departments in the Capitol for their contributions that led to this achievement.
He underscored that the government’s role is not to hinder business owners but to make it easier to establish businesses, earn, provide services, and create excellent products, ultimately contributing to economic growth that benefits everyone.
PCCI annually recognizes LGUs that actively demonstrate outstanding efforts to restore and enhance business operations in their area through significant and sustained innovative actions.
The criteria include fast-tracking local sustainable economic development, ease of doing business initiatives, investment promotion initiatives, and enhancing sectoral competitiveness initiatives.
Apart from Bataan, other recipients of the Most Business-Friendly LGU award for 2023 were Quezon City (city level 1A), Iloilo City (city level 1B), Antipolo City (city level 2), and Tagbilaran City (city level 3).
Also, the municipality of Tanay in Rizal (municipality level 1); and municipality of Pakil in Laguna (municipality level 2).