P A R T N E R S
Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc.
A few years ago after the climactic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 which severely hampered the economic development of Central Luzon and disrupted the lives of its people, the Central Luzon governors united and worked together to redeem the lost glory of the region.
Realizing the need for a coordinating body that would support the Central Luzon Development Project, the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. or CLGCFI was created as the Central Luzon Investment Coordinating Council (CLICC) in March 1994. The Central Luzon governors agreed to meet regularly to coordinate the implementation of their investment plans and programs.
CLGCFI, formerly known as CLICC, was first headed by Zambales Governor, Amor Deloso, in 1994-1998. Due to some changes in the administration back then, CLICC has been inactive for a year and was only revived in 1999 with Governor Tomas N. Joson III as the new chair until July 2004. By July 2004, the chairmanship of the council was turned over to Bataan Governor Enrique T. Garcia, Jr. which he held up to August 2005. It was September 2005 when the leadership was once again handed to Nueva Ecija Governor Tomas N. Joson III up to June 2007. From July 2007 to June 2013 it was headed by Aurora Governor Bellaflor C. Angara-Castillo.
Composed of the seven Provincial Governors of Central Luzon, DTI Undersecretary for Industry & Investments, and DTI-3 Regional Director, CLGCFI is presently structured as follows:
President : Gov. Victor A. Yap, Tarlac
Vice-President : Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado, Bulacan
Secretary : Gov. Gerardo A. Noveras, Aurora
Treasurer : Gov. Albert S. Garcia, Bataan
Members : Gov. Aurelio M. Umali, Nueva Ecija
Gov. Lilia G. Pineda, Pampanga
Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr., Zambales
Usec. Ceferino S. Rodolfo, DTI-BOI
RD Judith P. Angeles, DTI-3
From 2013 to present, CLGCFI is headed by Tarlac Governor Victor A. Yap.
Mission
CLGCFI Leads programs and projects that are geared towards the creation of a business and investment-enabling environment, trade and investment promotion, investor servicing, databank & knowledge management, and the establishment and strengthening of the regional network of investment promotion officers (IPO).
Programs & Projects
1. Advocacy for a business & Investment-Enabling Environment
Project: Streamlining the Business Processes in the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit
In 2001, CLGCFI adopted as its flagship and priority program the Project: Streamlining the Business Processes of Critical Government Frontline Services to eliminate red tape and reduce the cost of doing business in the region. Advocacy campaign on the program was undertaken by the CLGCFI in cooperation with the Department of Trade & Industry-3.
Starting with only 7 pilot cities and 1 municipality, the strong cooperation between CLGCFI and DTI-3, then later with DILG-3, paved the way for the successful documentation and implementation in the region by 2007.
This project has helped reduced the cost of doing business and further established Central Luzon as a business-friendly region with the issuance of Mayor’s Permit made faster, simpler, and transparent. Because of this, Central Luzon has become a benchmark of other regions aiming to streamline their process.
Central Luzon has long been ready therefore for the Nationwide Streamlining of BPLS when the National Competitiveness Council advocated for it in 2009. Readily, the region enrolled all its 130 cities and municipalities under the Component 1 of the Nationwide Streamlining of BPLS. With CLGCFI at the helm, supported by the regional and provincial BPLS teams composed of DTI, DILG, and LGUs, the region was able to fully comply with the requirements of Component 1 reforms by end of March 2012 or 2 years ahead of deadline.
Component 1 of the Nationwide BPLS Streamlining requires 1) adoption of the BPLS unified form, 2) maximum of 5 steps, 3) maximum of 5 days processing time for new applications and 1 day for renewals, and 4) maximum of 2 signatories in the issuance of Mayor’s Permit.
2. Promotion of Central Luzon as an Investment Destination
In partnership with DTI, CLGCFI also presents Central Luzon as investment destination and showcases the best products of the seven provinces both in the local and international scenes through the conduct of trade and investment missions. Through the years, the governors have promoted in the US, Europe, and Asia
3. Maintenance of Databank & Provision of Knowledge Management Services
To further promote the region as a viable investment destination, CLGCFI, thru its technical secretariat and network of DTI and LGU IPOs, packaged and distributed investment promotion collaterals such as the provincial investment promotion plans, CLGCFI Invest Digest newsletter, Central Luzon Flyer, Central Luzon Facts & Figures Brochure, Doing Business in Central Luzon Handbook, and the Central Luzon Business Card.
4. Strengthening of the Regional Network of Investment Promotion Offices in Central Luzon
The foundation is also responsible in the establishment and strengthening of both DTI and LGU-IPOs who serve as the primary agents in promoting their respective areas. Capability building programs such as the seminars in effective newsletter writing, on-the-job training and orientation at the Board of Investments (BOI), protocol, investment promotion, and value chain analysis, etc. were made available to the region’s Investment Promotion Officers by CLGCFI.
DTI-3 & CLGCFI Partner Institutions / Agencies