Written by: Janzen Mari Q. Pang | Photos by: Janzen Mari Q. Pang & Daryne T. Mayol

Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur – The DILG IX successfully conducted Deepening Session on Business Friendliness and Competitiveness with participation from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Anti Red-Tape Authority (ARTA), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and DILG IX Field Officers, on February 11, 2025, at the DILG IX Conference Hall, Balintawak, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

The Deepening Session on the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for Business Friendliness and Competitiveness successfully identified key root problems hindering local economic growth, such as, among others, bureaucratic inefficiencies, lack of access to capital for small businesses, and inadequate infrastructure.

This activity will then identify the design of targeted capacity development interventions – training, mentorship, resource allocation, or policy adjustments – that will empower the Local Government Units (LGUs) to effectively address these challenges, improve the SGLG scores, and foster a more business-friendly and competitive environment within their locality, leading to sustainable economic growth and improved quality of life for the citizens.