Bacolod: This highly urbanized city has rolled out the publication draft of 'Doing Business in Bacolod' in partnership with leading professional services firm SyCip Gorres Velayo and Company (SGV and Co.) ahead of its prospective launch in May.

According to Philippines News Agency, along with the rollout held at L' Fisher Hotel on Monday, the city's Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions (DLEDIP) hosted a data validation session to review the investment guide and verify cross-office data. 'Our prospective launch is on May 14 or 15 during the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Visayas Area Business Conference at SMX Bacolod,' DLEDIP head Frances Mae Llamas said in an interview on Tuesday.

During the data validation session attended by representatives from various city departments, national government agencies, and utility service providers, the participants collaborated across three focused streams. These include economic, tourism, connectivity, quality of life, and workforce development.

In October last year, Mayor Greg Gasataya and the team from the SGV and Co., led by chair Wilson Tan and deputy managing partner Noel Rabaja, launched the partnership to produce the 'Doing Business in Bacolod,' a publication that will highlight the city's investment potential, infrastructure, skilled workforce, peace and order, and strong governance.

Under the memorandum of agreement, SGV undertakes to assist the city government in coming up with the design and coverage of the 'Doing Business in the Local Government Unit (LGU)' publication as well as reviewing the information compiled relating to the process of setting up of business in Bacolod; local taxation; current social, political, and economic profile, demographics; and other related data.

Bacolod is tasked to compile the data and documents and write the draft, review suggested revisions or additions by SGV, approve the draft, and print the publication.