The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental recently reported a nearly 66 percent increase in business registrations across the province within the first four months of 2019. DTI reports business registrations rose to 9,498, up from the 5.724 reported during the same time last year.

They also note, of the nearly 9,500 registration, just over 8,000, or 8,093, were renewals.

DTI senior trade and industry development specialist Engiemar Tupas pointed out business registrations are typically higher in the first quarter of the year as it is the time when registrations usually take place.

Earlier this year, the Bacolod City government reported, as of January, there were 16,994 business registrations in the city alone, almost 7,500 more than the entire province.

In response to the figures, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said, “This is very encouraging and we will pursue this to the hilt.”

Last December, according to the city government, business registrations in the city totaled 23,187./Philippine News Agency/WDJ