SWS: Entrepreneurs satisfied with Iloilo City business environment

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A higher percentage of entrepreneurs in Metro Iloilo are satisfied with the good business climate offered by the Iloilo City government.

Result of the 2012 Surveys of Enterprises on Corruption conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) showed that 71 percent of respondents were satisfied with the business environment in this city.

The figure came second to Davao where satisfaction rating has increased to 87 percent compared with the 76 percent score in the 2009 survey.

Cebu, with its 76 percent, showed a decline compared with its 77 percent result three years ago.

The survey that was conducted July 16 to October 16 this year gathered information from seven areas in the country although it was the first time that Metro Iloilo was included thus leaving no room for comparison.

A total of 100 respondents came from Metro Iloilo composed of 33 large enterprises and 67 small and medium entrepreneurs.

Further, 66 percent of those surveyed shared excellent/good business expectations for Iloilo in the next two years.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog was also challenged by the result of the survey showing 85 percent of respondents, saying corruption among public sector was prevalent in the city and municipal level.

Mabilog said he would be glad to show them the initiatives of the city government to dispel their perception on corruption happening in Metro Iloilo.

The result was a combination of this city and its neighboring towns.

The mayor also stated that he would be calling the SWS to determine specific areas where they need to improve.

“It would serve as basis for us to work on our departments so as to reduce if not eliminate the perception on corruption,” he said after meeting with city department heads today.

Lea Lara, executive director of the Iloilo Business Club (IBC), said it is worth citing the high confidence extended by businessmen to the city government in fighting corruption.

“The concern is more developmental and not on personalities; it refers to how services are being obtained. It is an indication that there is room that needs to be improved,” she cited.

Lara also underscored the need for transparency and improvement of the other aspects of the system in line with the streamlining of processes in securing business permits to address the perception.

The result of the survey was presented by Linda Luz Guerrero, vice-president of the SWS, as part of the National Competitiveness Roadshow held here Monday. (PNA)

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