Thursday, November 21, 2024

Malaybalay city gov’t launches new office to attract more investors

The City Government of Malaybalay successfully launched the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO) on March 28, 2023, at Loiza’s Pavilion, Brgy. Casisang, Malaybalay City

The office was created to facilitate the preparation, coordination, and execution of local economic development and investment promotion policies, programs, and activities. More so, it will assist the Local Investment and Incentives Board (LIIB) in carrying out the objectives of code 926 or also known as the Revised Malaybalay City Investment and Incentives Code.

The launching was attended by department heads of the City Government of Malaybalay and LEPIDO Board Members.

Hon. Cromwell Kiril Dinlayan as the Vice Chair of the Local Investment and Incentives Board gladly welcomed the participants and highlighted that the launching of LEDIPO marks the beginning of the mission in promoting Malaybalay City as a destination for investors.

City Mayor Hon. Jay Warren Pabillaran gave his words of encouragement to continue every endeavor that has been started so that both Malaybalay and the investors could avail the opportunities in the future.

Hon. Pabillaran also persuaded other offices to give their full support in the objective to make Malaybalay a business-friendly city and to maintain transparency in order to attract more investors.

Likewise, Vice Mayor Hon. Estelito Marabe, the author of the Revised Investment and Incentive Code, encouraged the offices in creating strategies to promote Malaybalay as a potential area for investments.

The creation of LEDIPO that will focus on fiscal and non-fiscal incentives will likely invite more investors, Hon. Marabe added.

On the plenary, Ms. Amalia Propia, CLGOO presented the DILG MC 2020-167 or the guidelines on promoting local economic development and investment promotion and the establishment of LEDIPO.

Meanwhile, Ms. Famelah Raquel Villanueva, PD of the Department of Trade and Industry) DTI Bukidnon discussed DTI’s Devolution Transition Plan emphasizing DTI functions to be devolved to LEDIPO.

More importantly, Mr. Romeo Lapeciros, Jr. LEDIPO- Designate, clearly expressed the salient features of Ordinance 926 or the Revised Malaybalay Local Investment and Incentives Code (LIIC), which includes the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for the investors whose businesses or enterprise is registered in line with the investment priority areas (preferred projects) indicated in the LIIC.

City Administrator Atty. Anna Marie R. Bergado, CPA stressed in her concluding message that the launching of LEDIPO is another step forward and that the success of these efforts will not be achieved without the collective efforts of all offices.

Thereafter, the first Local Investment and Incentives Board Meeting followed with Mayor Pabillaran presiding over the meeting being the Chairman of the Local Investment and Incentives Board.

Among present were members of the Board with Hon. Cromwell Kiril Dinlayan as the Vice Chairperson and with members Hon. Brian Nelson Flores, Hon. Christopher Soria, Hon. Bonifacio Valiente, Mr. Romeo Lapeciros, Jr., Juancho Chiong and Mr. Roberto Tinsay, representative of the Malaybalay City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Agenda includes the presentation of projects, programs, and activities of LEDIPO, the Business Forum, and the proposal for the additional members of the board. (LGU Malaybalay)

1st business forum kicks-off to promote agri-tourism, business investments

To promote Malaybalay City’s investment and incentives and opportunities to business partners and stakeholders, the City government held its first business forum last March 31, 2023, held at the People’s Hall of Malaybalay City Hall with the theme” Grow with Us, Invest in the City of Malaybalay.”

The 1-day activity was spearheaded by the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO) together with the collaborative effort of the distinct business entities and business sectors from Malaybalay City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).

City Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran assured the private entities the full support of the City government intending to promote the City as the center of Agri-tourism destination as well as to entice other businesses to invest in the City.

City Vice Mayor Estelito R. Marabe expressed optimism that the coming of big businesses will triple employment and will support local producers. Also, Vice Mayor Marabe gave due credit to Mayor Pabillaran for the initiative to encourage businesses to invest in the City of Malaybalay.

Moreover, Marabe emphasized the sustainability of programs and projects for the business entities and stakeholders in promoting Malaybalay as the center of Agri- tourism citing the significance with “Saka ta Malaybalay“ branding to be an investor-centered initiative.

The keynote speaker Mr. Matias Regis, Jr. from Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) shared insights and salient features of Davao City on their common success factors and areas of improvement. He stressed the essential role of the private sectors and the urgency to go out of the comfort zone and the need to develop linkages.

The highlight of the activity was the awarding of the 2022’s highest taxpayer from 14 categories and special awards on the highest employment of the city and oldest business establishment of the city that still exists.

In addition, speakers from City Government of Malaybalay, Provincial, Regional, and National agencies also rendered their respective talked on topics to help participants have ease in doing their business, availing of grants and incentives as well as the introduction of technology and technical support in their respective business undertakings.

Also, the open forum was an avenue for the audience to raise their queries and concerns. At the end of the day, participants expressed their gratitude to the City of Malaybalay for the opportunity to attend the activity with the new insights and garnered business opportunities. Likewise, products from MSMEs and the help desk center from DOST and DTI were showcased at the entrances of the hall. (LGU Malayabalay)

Malaybalay holds City’s first business forum

The City Government of Malaybalay, in celebration of the 25th Charter Day, spearheaded the First Business Forum with the theme “Grow with Us, Invest in Malaybalay,” on March 31, 2023, at the Peoples Hall, this city

The said activity aimed to foster engagement, collaborations, and direct relationships with businesses, entrepreneurs, and local investors across the region.

City Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran joined the forum along with City Vice Mayor Estelito Marabe, City Councilors, department heads, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Board of Investments (BOI), and the Malaybalay City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI).

In his welcoming remarks, Hon. Cromwell Kiril D. Dinlayan emphasized we must work together to grow the economy and reduce poverty, adding, “I urge everyone (in the government) to take this opportunity to consolidate and reinforce your commitment towards a brighter future for Malaybalay.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Pabillaran, in his message, stressed, “The aim of the City Government is that integrity will be intact. Mao nana ang atong standard, kay kung walay integrity ang gobyerno, kinsa man ang magsalig sa gobyerno?”

He added, “If gusto ta mulambo ang Malaybalay, tarongon nato ang pagdala gikan sa gobyerno, and that is important in order for our city to prosper.”

Also, Vice Mayor Marabe reiterated the importance of unity. “As business people, we should unite; we should strengthen our group. If you look at Malaybalay, we are the center of government as the capital city of Bukidnon. We are the center of education. We are the center of religious activities. We were the center of tourism before, and we would like to get that again.”

“If things do not come our way, we will look for things to come our way. If there are no opportunities coming our way. We create opportunities,” he added.

Mr. Christian D. Cambaya, DCIP-IASU Head, was the keynote speaker for the event. He gave insights on the immense opportunities for local economic development (LED) and how to address the challenges that are unique to the local context, which is also the advantage of local government units focusing on the approach concerning LED programs and strategies in the city.

During the session, plenary speakers, namely: Ms. Lourdes Ellen Kionisala, BOI Chief Investment Specialist, discussed labor incentives law; Mr. Romeo R. Lapeciros, Jr., LEDIP Officer on Malaybalay City local investment and incentives code; Ms. Ritchie L. Guno, DOST Provincial Director on innovation support to entrepreneurs; and DTI Provincial Director, Ms. Famelah Raquel D. Villanueva, on DTI current programs.

The first-ever Malaybalay City Business Forum organized by the City Government marks the beginning of a new era in promoting business development and opportunities propelled to reaching new heights of innovation and sustainability in the city and the region as well. (PR)