QC boosts ties with business groups

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., in a bid to cement the strong ties with the business sector, has declared the Quezon City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCCI) as the principal communication line between the city government and the 50,000-strong business community in the city.

Upon signing Executive Order 15 before delegates to the Entrepinoy Congress at the Celebrity Plaza, Belmonte said the city government recognizes the role of the private sector in attaining full economic development and this can only be done through a collaborated relationship between the two entries.

"The role of the private sector is indispensable in the achievement of the goals of the city government as provided for in Chapter 4 section 35 of the local government Code," Belmonte said.

Nathan Zulueta, QCCCI president and CEO said the executive order will have a dramatic impact on the business community as the chamber will now be a full-time partner of the city government in making Quezon City a "quality city."

QCCCI may now enter into joint activities with the Business Permits Office and other departments, especially during seasonal activities such as renewal of business permits and payment of real property tax.

The mayor also ordered all departments to support the efforts of QCCCI in creating a business registry databank and collect fees to defray the cost in creating and maintaining the said databank.

In his keynote address, Belmonte cited the development programs being implemented by the city government to make Quezon City a truly business-friendly city.

He said among the innovations is the simplification on the application for business permits to free the business sector from red tape, which he said is a major stumbling block to progress.

He also urged the business community to go for quality products and service.

"Private business is the engine of growth," Belmonte said. – Perseus Echeminada