EASE OF DOING BUSINESS. Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council) of Ilocos Norte approved on Wednesday (Jan. 31, 2024) a resolution authorizing Gov. Matthew Joseph Manotoc to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with national government agencies. The MOA is meant to support the ease of doing business in the province. (Photo by Leilanie Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – The Ilocos Norte government is partnering with various national government agencies (NGAs) here to promote the ease of doing business and attract more investments, particularly in agribusiness, tourism, manufacturing, mining, renewable energy, and services.
Soya Cheng-Bueno, Ilocos Norte Trade and Investment Promotions Center (INvest) head, on Wednesday said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council) unanimously approved a resolution on Wednesday granting Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc the authority to enter into a memorandum of agreement with authorized representatives of the Social Security System, Bureau of Immigration, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of Tourism, Home Development Mutual Fund, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Bureau of Internal Revenue among others for the implementation of the I-Care Desk.
The I-Care Desk, which is under the watch of INvest, is a centralized application and requirement evaluation desk based at the provincial capitol that helps with investor registration, permit acquisition, and relevant licensing to expedite the processing of necessary documents.
“The schedule of the MOA signing has yet to be announced,” Bueno told the Philippine News Agency, noting that the provincial government is committed to making the province an investment-friendly destination by streamlining the current systems and procedures of government services.
“The I-Care Desk provides a one-stop-business shop focused on enhancing economic activities through quality investment servicing and active investment promotions in the province,” she added.
In turn, INvest, which was created in 2019 through Provincial Ordinance No. 061-2019, offers services such as providing updated information on investment opportunities, business procedures, permit requirements, and government regulations.
Currently, the province is offering various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to investors and these include exemptions from paying real property taxes, and incentivizing enterprises that engage in environment-friendly practices as well as those that employ locals. (PNA)
