October 16, 2018, Iloilo City –  The City of Iloilo bounced back in the Top 100 “Super Cities” of Tholons Services Globalization Index (TSGI) 2018 as it landed 92nd spot after dropping off the list in 2017.

Tholons’ ranking “enables cities to emerge as a preferred destination for global digital demand.”

Iloilo City was again included because of technological innovations in services and support to start-ups, Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office head Ritchel Gavan said.

“Previously, the only indicator was how technology is used for government services. But for this year, it included the support to local start-up community. The City Government is in the initial stage of coming up with automated issuance of business, occupancy, and building permits,” Gavan said.

BPLO head Norman Tabud said the Business One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) establishment is in compliance with Republic Act 11032 or Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

The law also mandates cities “to automate their business permitting and licensing system or set up an electronic BOSS within a period of three years upon the effectivity of the Act for a more efficient business registration processes.”

Gavan added that start-up community in the metropolis is thriving.

“When you say start-up, these are groups of developers and web designers who are creating mobile applications. So, the investors would look up the position and environment, and being in Tholons Top 100 means there will be more investments,” Gavan said. (Merianne Grace Ereñeta/Iloilo City PIO)