Mandaue mayor says his city has regained

confidence of traders

By Wilfredo Rodolfo III

MANDAUE City Mayor Jonas Cortes on Friday reported to the city council that the city has already regained the confidence of businessmen as the administration continues to clean up the city’s reputation as one of the hardest to start a business in.

Cortes, which ended the 18-year reign of the Ouano family in the city in 2007, said business registration and revenues have stepped up the past two years of his term.

“Our relationship with the business sector has improved tremendously. The Office of the City Mayor has been very accessible to our business community, and I have also made it a point to be present in most activities that are organized by them,” Cortes said during the state of the city address.

He reported that the city’s 9,310 business establishments renewed their business licenses in the city compared with 8,624 in 2007.

The city also raised P33.856 million in revenues from various sources as of April, signifying the business sector’s cooperation in paying taxes and the city’s collection efforts.

The mayor told reporters that his management team is now working on creating a one-day processing system for business-permit applications in order to encourage businessmen to invest in the city.

Mandaue City is home to most of Cebu’s industries. In the past two years, however, many commercial establishments have opened and committed in the city.

Its once-barren reclamation area now hosts the Cebu International Convention Center, Parkmall, the Cebu Doctor’s University and the Boardwalk.

A 21-story Nature’s Suites Hotel is under construction, while an information technology building by Robinland is in the works.

Cortes said his administration has fixed close to 6,000 linear meters of roads, while improving the peace-and-order situation.

“You would all notice we don’t hear of frequent gang wars anymore,” Cortes added.

“This combination of business confidence and our commitment to make their conduct of business in our city comfortable, hassle-free and friendly, assures us that, indeed, our vision of making Mandaue City the premier hub of commerce and industry in Cebu will be achieved within our first term of office.”

He said his administration will prioritize several thrusts in the next two years, including infrastructure, public order, revenue generation, environmental protection, mass housing, efficient governance, health, business sector support and preservation of culture and heritage.

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Mandaue mayor says his city has regained confidence of traders

MANDAUE City Mayor Jonas Cortes on Friday reported to the city council that the city has already regained the confidence of businessmen as the administration continues to clean up the city’s reputation as one of the hardest to start a business in.

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