Taytay Rizal Targets Top Spot as Philippines’ Most Business-Friendly Municipality

October 19 & 20, 2022 Manila Philippines

TAYTAY, RIZAL — With bold leadership and an aggressive push for economic development, the Municipality of Taytay is emerging as a serious contender for the title of Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit (LGU) in the Philippines.

Riding on the momentum of national economic priorities laid out during the 48th Philippine Business Conference and Expo held last year, Taytay is now actively positioning itself as a model of local governance that enables investment, supports entrepreneurs, and drives inclusive growth.

The two-day national event, hosted by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) at The Manila Hotel, gathered over a thousand business leaders, policymakers, and development stakeholders. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan set the tone with a clear message: “The private sector is the engine of growth.”

The call for stronger public-private collaboration was echoed by Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who both committed to creating a policy environment conducive to long-term investment and innovation.

But beyond the national spotlight, it was the recognition of business-friendly LGUs that struck a chord with local leaders.

Taytay Steps Up

In Taytay, Rizal, the message hit home. Mayor Allan De Leon and the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (LEDIPO), led by Ms. Cristina “Chin” Gonzales, have since launched an aggressive campaign to elevate Taytay’s economic profile.

“We’re not just participating anymore,” Gonzales said in a recent statement. “We are competing—and we’re aiming to win.”

Backed by strong LGU support and increasing private sector engagement, Taytay is focusing on streamlining business registration, improving local infrastructure, promoting industry growth, and enhancing investor relations. Its trademark campaign slogan—“Smile, Taytay na!”—has evolved from a catchphrase into a rallying cry for transformation.

Strategic Moves

Known as the "Garments Capital of the Philippines," Taytay is leveraging its industrial heritage while embracing new opportunities. Key initiatives include:

• Simplifying business permit processes;

• Supporting MSMEs through financing and training;

• Opening investment windows in real estate, logistics, and retail;

• Enhancing digital governance and data transparency;

• Strengthening partnerships with local and regional chambers of commerce.

These initiatives are designed not only to attract investors but to ensure that local entrepreneurs, workers, and residents directly benefit from economic growth.

National Vision, Local Action

The drive aligns closely with the Marcos administration’s broader push for inclusive, bottom-up development. During the PCCI conference, the President emphasized the role of LGUs in making national strategies tangible. In his words, “the local level is where economic transformation must take root.”

Taytay’s response has been clear—and unapologetically ambitious.

With the 2025 Business-Friendly LGU Awards on the horizon, Taytay officials have made it known: the town is not simply vying for recognition. It is building a lasting model of pro-business governance and local economic empowerment.

What’s Next

As the Philippines navigates a complex post-pandemic recovery, municipalities like Taytay are proving that local governments can take the lead—not just in governance, but in real economic impact.

In the words of one LEDIPO official:

“This isn’t just about awards. This is about changing the game.”

Taytay is not waiting for the future. It is building it—one business, one policy, and one bold step at a time.

By: Meme Borja