Angeles City is the 5th most improved Highly Urbanized City in the country in terms of economic development and competitiveness.

This was announced by the Department of Trade and Industry during the virtual awarding ceremony of the 2021 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, where Executive Assistant V Raffy Angeles received the award on behalf of Angeles City mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin, Jr.

Angeles, who delivered the message on behalf of Mayor Lazatin, cited the efforts being undertaken by the city government particularly on reviving the local economy amid the pandemic, focusing on the business industry.

Angeles then thanked the DTI for the recognition, saying “we are proud for this milestone. Thank you for recognizing Angeles City, DTI.”

Among the top 10 most improved cities in the country, Angeles City is the only HUC in Central Luzon which received the award under the said category.

Amid the pandemic, the city government has strengthened programs in assisting business establishments to get back on their feet.

Among the programs are boosting the One Town One Product store to promote Gawang Angeleño products and waiving the ₱500 administrative fee of local Micro Small Medium Enterprises.

Just last December 2021 alone, it earned more than ₱360,000, giving the earnings wholly to the MSMEs; extending the deadline for the payment of business taxes without penalties and requiring them just to pay for their actual operations gross income as part of their business tax; and suspending the collection of the comprehensive general liability insurance from local hotels.

The inspection of business establishments, allowing them to operate, is also daily and regular.
Despite the pandemic, Angeles City is also one of the top performing cities in terms of collection efficiency of Locally-sourced Revenues, with 130.9% collection efficiency.

Back in 2019, Angeles City was also named one of the most improved cities in the HUC category.