New Manila City Business Center

New businesses in Manila may now finish their business registration in a two-step process which will take only 15 minutes and two person-to-person interfaces in comparison to its previous 17-step interfaces.

With technical assistance from International Finance Corporation (IFC), a private sector arm of the World Bank Group, the city is now able to issue business permits within the day when it used to take as long as 52 days before.

The major reforms in business processes, promoted by IFC’s Investment Climate program with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Australian Agency for International Development (Aus-AID), are expected to encourage more small and medium-scale enterprises to join the formal sector in the Philippine capital.

The capital serves as the country’s representative city for the annual World Bank Group “Doing Business” report. The global 2010 survey ranked the Philippines as 144th in a global list of 183 economies.

“Greater business activities will impact the income opportunities and basic services for the city’s poor. IFC is happy to have worked with the city government to make these significant improvements in a Regulatory Simplification program we are piloting in three other Metro Manila cities with the support of the League of Cities of the Philippines,” said Jesse Ang, IFC’s Resident Representative.

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim said the process reforms were the result of months of study, hard work, and collaboration by the city’s staffs from various departments who were trained by the Ateneo School of Government, IFC’s project partner. These are the Bureau of Permits, Licensing Division, Engineering Dept, Treasury Dept, Electronic data Processing Services (EDPS), Accounting Office, Budget Office, Office of the Chief of Staff of the Mayor, Office of City Administrator, City Fire Marshal Office, Health and Sanitation Office.

“The Manila City Business Center (MCBC) and its simplified business registration process is the city’s means towards a comfortable, easy, fast and efficient way of doing business.

This is equally for all business constituents of the city, whether big or small like those ranging from the small vending stores to biggers companies.

This is contrary to hearsays that the MCBC will cater to big businesses only.

“We want the people to feel comfortable while registering your business where you will be attended to immediately and your business permit be given to you within the day or within 15 minutes,” said Mayor Lim.

Manila Commemorates 138th Anniversary of GOMBURZA

The City of Manila led by Mayor Alfredo S. Lim commemorated the 138^th martyrdom of Filipino priests during the Spanish era and better known as GOMBURZA for Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora.

They were all killed in Luneta and buried in Pandacan (birth place of Father Jacinto Zamora). They were eventually buried in the Paco Park.

“Dapat lagi nating isinasaalala ang kabayanihan at pagkamartir ng ating tatlong pari.  Kahit na hindi sila lumaban o nagpakita ng katapangan sa giyera naipadama naman nila ang paninindigan para sa karapatan ng ating mga kababayang pari,” Lim told the youth in the audience

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Lim said the main concern of the three priests– GOMBURZA  was to give Filipino priests their own churches in accordance with the policy of the Catholic Church, which the Spanish friars did not observe because of professional jealousy. The friars wanted to stay as long as they wanted.  

“Ang tatlong mga pari ay idinawit sa isang himagsikan sa Cavite kung saan naman ang mga tao ay lumaban dahil sa mataas na paniningil ng mga buwis.  At may nabasang sulat na gawa ni Padre Jacinto Zamora na may nakalagay na “Pulbura at Bala” kung saan ito ay isa lamang palabas na balak gawin ng mga pari”, Lim added.

Since the friars did not have any much evidence against the 3 Filipino priests, GOMBURZA were executed after two days in Luneta.

Lim told everybody present not to forget the traditional love for our country.  “Huwag nating kalilimutan na ang pag-aalay ng buhay ay isang pinakamahalagang  pagtitiis o sakripisyo ng isang tao alang-alang sa pagmamahal sa bayan.”

Lim said people must only vote wisely this coming election using your mind, heart and conscience in choosing the most deserving candidate.

Lim: Fit as a fiddle and raring to run

By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 19:21:00 12/31/2009

Filed Under: Politics, Elections, Eleksyon 2010