The municipality of Tanauan in the province of Leyte has been once again chosen as one of the finalists for the 2007 Search for the Most Business Friendly Municipality of the Philippines, Atty. Miguel B. Varela, Chairman Emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the 33rd Philippine Business Conference Awards Committee announced.

The final judging, Atty. Varela informed, is on October 9, 2007, 9:00 o'clock in the morning at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.

The finalists will face and answer the queries of the distinguished Board of Judges on the issue of business friendly local government unit. The interviewees will be requested to introduce himself to the Panel by the Chairman of the Board of Judges.

The nominee then makes a presentation or showing of Audio-visuals or power point presentations prepared by the local government itself. The remaining minutes will be devoted to the question and answer portion with each member of the Board asking one question only.

The finalists will be judged on good governance which includes the quality customer service that the local government renders specially on the display of simplified procedures, private and public sector partnership, competitiveness in investment promotion and adoption of innovations and interlocal government relations.

The area winners will first be determined and then all the area winners in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will compete for the Most Business Friendly Municipality in the Philippines.

The Municipality of Tanauan was nominated by the Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry through its President Mr. Orlando Uy.

When reached, Tanauan Mayor Tiu, whose municipality was declared as the Most Business Friendly Municipality in the Visayas and in the Philippines last year, said that his municipality is humbled by the honor of being declared a finalist again this year.

He said that the municipality's winning the most coveted award last year has inspired the local government officials and employees to strengthen their partnership and working as a team to provide innovative and improve the services some more not only to the people of Tanauan but to every one who visits the municipality to start a business.

What makes joining the contest more meaningful to the local government of Tanauan, Mayor Tiu intimated, is the fact that the bests of the bests are able to share their experiences and learn from the experiences of the others, while waiting for the interview.

"I guess this is the best part of this Search," Mayor Tiu said, and the local governments must be grateful to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry for providing a venue for this learning experience." (PIA-8)