The highly-urbanized Bacolod City registered a total of 24,690 businesses in 2024, according to data presented by the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) on Tuesday, January 21.

The figure is higher by eight percent compared to the 22,784 registered businesses in 2023, and solidifies the city’s status as among last year’s most business-friendly local government units (LGUs) in the country.

BPLO presented its report in a press briefing with Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez amid the ongoing business one-stop-shop (BOSS) for registration and renewal this year.

Of the total registered businesses in the previous year, 5,167 were new firms while 19,523 were renewals.

Under this year’s BOSS campaign, which runs from January 2 to February 15, a total of 15,566 businesses have already registered as of January 20. This is higher by 182 or 1.18 percent compared to the 15,384 for the same period in 2024.

In terms of collection for the first 16 days since January 2, the city recorded P521.217 million compared to P404.420 million last year.

For the entire 27 days last year, the total collection was at P548.823 million.

“We still have more than 15 days of BOSS. We expect to surpass last year’s target,” City Treasurer Gary Gecosala said.

In 2024, Bacolod was awarded the Most Business-Friendly LGU in the Provincial Highly-Urbanized Cities category during the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCI) 50th Business Conference and Expo.

As the 2024 City Level 1B winner, Bacolod was recognized “for its exceptional commitment to fostering a vibrant and business-friendly environment that stimulates growth and innovation,” the PCCI said.

“This award honors the City Government of Bacolod for its exemplary policies, initiatives, and services that empower local entrepreneurs, attract investments, and promote sustainable economic development, establishing it as a benchmark for effective governance and a catalyst for progress in the community,” it added. (PNA)