Mayor vows to further improve Koronadal’s business climate
The City of Koronadal is dedicated to improving its business climate in order to attract investments by focusing on the city’s competitive advantage, improving resilience, working for stable growth, and increasing commitment to high-quality development.
Despite the global pandemic’s challenges, Ogena administration has worked to maintain the city’s remarkable resilience and vitality. To encourage long-term economic growth, the city prioritized stability and progress while also deepening high-level reforms and investing in long-term economic growth by improving its landscape to ensure that the city remained a viable location for business opportunities and economic recovery.
Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena stated at the Business Night on October 12, 2023, that the city is a promising city not only because it is the regional center, not because it is the only city in the province, not because it is strategically located in SOCCSKSARGEN, but because everyone is working hard to contribute to the city’s economic progress.
Everyone, according to the Local Chief Executive, has a role to play. In fact, his administration worked to strengthen marginalized sectors such as PWDs, 4Ps, and many others by empowering them to contribute to inclusive growth. “Dapat lahat ay may ambag sa ekonomiya, kaya siniguro ng aking administrasyon na i-organize ang mga sekator at binigyan sila ng livelihood “ (“Everyone should contribute to the economy, so my administration made certain to organize the sectors and provide them with employment opportunities”).
Mayor Ogena, on the other hand, assured the business community that his administration values the efforts of its human resources. Furthermore, he reiterated to them that because Koronadal has a promising location, his administration will work tirelessly in the coming years to improve it. Clearing Blok Creek is one of the top priorities, which includes relocating unregistered settlers to Barangay New Pangasinan (Barrio 4). The mayor promised to clean up Blok Creek and build mini-parks near where aquamarine lives in the future. He promised adequate lighting in the city center, where approximately 345 lights would be installed in the coming days, as well as approximately 150 lights on national highways.
“We must create a business environment conducive to business that will not only attract the people in the SOCCSKSARGEN region but also people from other places”, the Mayor said.
Activities for this year’s Charter Anniversary were designed to encourage investors to come to the city in order to actualize this year’s theme, “Embracing Innovations and Creating Business Opportunities.” Sporting events drew participants from all over the region, resulting in more tourism and revenue for the economy.
“Bakit hindi natin pagandahin ang atong lungsod upang lahat ng mga tao ay mahalina na pumunta dito… Kung noon satellite tayo ng Davao, today we are the center of gravity of South Central Mindanao. And we will keep on giving people the reason to come, kung may malaking dahilan sila kung bakit sila pupunta dito. (“Why don’t we beautify our City so that all people love to come here… If we were once a satellite of Davao, we are now the gravitational center of South Central Mindanao. And we will continue to give people reasons to come if they have a compelling reason to come here.)”, the Mayor said.
On the other hand, the city government through the City Treasurer’s Office presented awards to outstanding businesses at the 2nd Gintong Negosyo Awards Night to motivate the business sector and to recognize and celebrate local businesses that provide essential services, actively engage and support the community, demonstrated resilience, and proved a strong commitment to contributing to the city’s economy.
Messages of congratulations were also delivered at the awards ceremony by City Vice Mayor Erlinda P. Araquil and Committee Chairperson on Commerce, Trade, and Industry Councilor Charene Kristelle C. Jumilla.
The award is divided into five special accolades, with the following list of awardees:
Gintong Negosyo Awardee:
• Mall of Ace Centerpoint
Lifetime Achievement Award
• South Cotabato Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• Supreme Power Corporation
• Trisha’s Burger
Makabagong Award
• K Sports Gloves International
• Taverne Café and Bar
• Jodan’s Biskotso de Marbel
• Mommy Mel’s Food Products
• Bheb’s Haus of Pies
Dakilang Negosyo Award
• People’s General Merchandize
• Aplasca Optical Clinic
• Online Computer Center Corporation
• Bedrock Garden Resort
• Mercury Drug Store
• Lantaw-Marbel Resort Hotel
• City Hardware Mindanao, Inc.
Matatag na Negosyo Award
• King’s College of Marbel, Inc.
• JSB House of Arts
• Saint Anthony Printing Services
• Marbel Farmer’s Bread
• Celema’s Place and Catering Services
• Topnard’s Tailong Shop
• Agencia Brillantes
• Vinz Hapit-anay Batchoy
• Pacifica Agrivet Supply, Inc
• Food Harbor
• Wilmar Marketing
• Sprinter Lumber, Hardware and Auto Supply
• Perot Fruit Stand
• Llamas Dress Shoppe
• Johnny Auto Supply /Spare Parts
• New Capitol Restaurant
Creating and maintaining a business climate that encourages inclusive and sustainable industrial development must be central to any effort to stimulate the growth of vibrant and competitive industrial sectors. Although this remains a challenge for Ogena administration, the significant steps taken by his leadership have already gone a long way toward living up to his slogan, “A Small City with a Big Dream.”
Meanwhile, the Mayor is optimistic about Koronadal’s goal of achieving a sustainable green economy in which development can occur without jeopardizing the environment or people’s social needs. This is the direction of the government’s efforts, which include significant investments and policies, as well as quality infrastructure development geared toward the adoption of new technologies.
The city has taken “a big step forward” in terms of social inclusion of disadvantaged population groups, and has been taking “one step at a time” in increasing investments among local businesses and inviting more investors to come and invest in Koronadal.