The improving economy and livability have enticed more investors to open businesses in this city.

Data from the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) showed 2,000 new and 16,033 business permit renewals were approved as of the end of August, while 239 applications are pending payment and issuance of permits.

For the same period last year, the city government approved 2,590 new permits and renewed 14,789.

Velma Jane Lao, head of the city’s Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO), said new permit applicants increased by 15.7 percent and renewals by 9.86 percent.

The 18,033 total permits issued as of Aug. 31 this year is 3.76 percent higher compared with the 17,379 for the same period last year.

“The cost of doing business here is lower, and our services are more accessible with the opening of payment centers. Other people would do business here because of the physical environment,” Lao said in an interview on Friday.

Mayor Jerry Treñas had said the offsite payment centers in malls have helped significantly and generated additional jobs for Ilonggos.

Lao said that based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the city’s current employment rate is 95 percent higher than the 89 percent last year.

The city government has offsite payment centers available in malls, including on the second floor of the Megaworld Festive Walk Parade building, the food court area of the Marymart Center, the third floor of the Atrium Mall and at SM City Iloilo.

The offsite payment centers in malls make payment transactions convenient for clients.

The center handles the renewal of business permits, assists in the creation of the Integrated Business Permits and Licensing System, accounts assessment and payment for real property tax, issuance of the community tax certificate and permit-related issuances, including the fire safety inspection certificate, sanitary permit, tourism license and boarding house permits, among others. (PNA)