OLONGAPO CITY WINS HALL OF FAME AWARD

Olongapo City reaped various awards and recognitions in ceremonies for the search for Outstanding LGUs Implementing the Streamlining Program in the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit by the Central Luzon Corridor Foundation Inc. (CLGCFI) held recently at the grand Ballroom of Holiday Inn, Clark Freeport Zone.

The city was elevated to the HALL OF FAME for winning first place for three consecutive years for outstanding achievement in the implementation of the documented streamlined procedures on the issuance of Mayor’s Permit.

Olongapo City was also recognized as no. 1 in the Highly-Urbanized City Category as Best Local Government Unit (LGU) Practitioner with innovations that provide simple, yet effective, transparent and fast delivery of services to investors and business applicants.

"Such initiative makes business transactions in Olongapo City more customer-friendly, thus elevating the level of competitiveness of Central Luzon as an investment haven," said Olongapo City Mayor James "Bong" Gordon, Jr.

The City received Plaques of Recognition and check amounting to twenty five thousand (P25,000) handed over by Governor Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo of Aurora Province and President of the CLGCFI, to Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. and to Neal Perez, head, Business Permit & Licensing Office, during the awarding ceremonies.

The winning streak of Olongapo City continues with the implementation of reforms under the Nationwide Streamlining of Business Permits & Licensing System in the Philippines Program for the year 2010, with 4 steps: 30 minutes processing time, 2 signatories, adoption of the unified form, one-time assessment & one-time payment in the issuance of the Mayor’s Permit.

The Plaque for this recognition was given by Secretary Gregory Domingo of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as well as CLGCFI & Aurora Governor Belleflor Angara-Castillo.

Furthermore, the City of Olongapo also was given a Certificate of Commendation for being the Provincial LGU Nominee of Zambales to the Best One Stop Shop (B.O.S.S.) in Central Luzon.

In 2002, the streamlining project was launched by the DTI to facilitate and encourage the growth of business and investments in the region by reducing the turnaround time in the issuance of business certificates, permits and licenses.

The project also aims to eliminate unnecessary duplication and overlapping of agency functions, create an investor friendly environment in Central Luzon, and adopt a simple, effective and transparent step-by-step procedures in the issuance of business certificates, permits and licenses that would eventually result in the reduction of the cost of doing business in the region.