Tacloban City (October 22) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, during the Closing Rites of the 32nd Philippine Business Conference held at the Manila Hotel on October 20, personally presented the awards to the 2006 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Units of the Philippines, the Province of Bulacan, the City of Naga and the Municipality of Tanauan, Leyte.

This year’s Most Business-Friendly Municipality of the Philippines was awarded to the Municipality of Tanauan, Leyte. The award was received by Atty. Roque A. Tiu, the mayor of Tanauan, and PIA 8 Director Olive Tiu.

The Most Business-Friendly City of the Philippines for this year is the City of Naga. Mayor Jessie Robredo and Mr. Ruel Oliver received the award and the Hall of Fame Award for being the winner for the third consecutive year.

The 2006 Most Business-Friendly Province is the Province of Bulacan which is also a Hall of Fame Awardee for winning the category for the third consecutive year. Governor Josie dela Cruz and Board Member Boy Aniag received the award in behalf of the Province.

The winners were nominated by their respective Chamber of Commerce and Industry and have been earlier adjudged as the winner in their respective Areas (Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao).

The Municipality of Tanauan for example, was earlier adjudged as the Most Business-Friendly Municipality in the Visayas Area. It then competed with the Most Business-Friendly Municipalities in Luzon and in Mindanao before it was proclaimed as the Most Business Friendly Municipality of the Philippines.

The Local Government Most Business-Friendly Awardees made different innovations in order to encourage more investors in their respective local government units and at the same time increase the LGU income. This is in answer to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s call to enhance business environment in order invite more investors and to create more jobs in order to improve the economy of the local government units and the country as a whole.