TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The city government is open to partnering with interested investors by providing a better investment atmosphere to perk up the heavily impacted economy to help pave the way for the gradual and safe revival of the economy.
Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero pointed out that the creation of more jobs, enhancement of economic activities and the revival of the livelihood of the people is one of the flagship programs of the city government to allow the displaced workers to get back their jobs and entrepreneurs their businesses.
The city chief executive claimed the city is inclined to provide better incentives for businesses interested to locate at the future regional hub and establish their desired business activities to provide people with better opportunities to have gainful employment and mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to their economic activities and sources of livelihood.
Aside from the ongoing development of the city’s public market that will allow the local government to earn at least P2 million annually with a provision for increase every 5 years in rentals, the city will also develop 2 private properties into commercial centers to help generate more jobs for the qualified residents not only of the city but also of the whole province and further improve existing economic activities.
Tabuk is being groomed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera as the regional growth center because of the availability of vast tracks of land that could be converted into government and industrial centers.
The mayor admitted there are various investors who already signified their interest to partner with the city government in putting up their businesses in the fast growing city and the city government will further enhance the incentives for businesses to entice more businessmen to invest in the city.
However, the mayor reported that proposals of possible partnership with prospective investors has been put on hold because of the upcoming May polls but these will be attended to as soon as the election is over and that the people of Tabuk will give him the fresh mandate to lead the city for another 3 years.
Tabuk was declared as a component city of Kalinga in 2007 after it complied with the rules and regulations governing the conversion of first class municipalities to cities. It was among the 16 local governments simultaneously converted to cities which was favourably decided by the Supreme Court.
Estrañero added that apart from generating jobs and enhancing existing economic activities, investors can contribute in increasing the income of the city government to improve the delivery of basic services to the people and implement high impact development projects beneficial to the people.