BACOLOD CITY, Feb. 13 -- This city government received business permit applications from around 1,100 new business establishments at the beginning of 2024.

Data as of Tuesday showed that the number is part of the 18,839 business permit applications received in January alone by the Business Permits and Licensing Office through the Business-One-Stop-Shop at the Ayala Mallss Capitol Central.

Mayor Alfredo Benitez said in an interview that last month's total was 11 percent higher than the 16,994 applications recorded in January 2023.

"As you can see, there is an influx of business establishments coming into the city. I hope that is because of the confidence in our business environment," he added.

In January this year, the city government ...