President Rodrigo Duterte has assured business groups of his support promising them a government free of corruption and red tape.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the 42nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo in Pasay City on Thursday (October 13) Duterte said he wants to implement the Davao City model in the country for businesses to thrive.



This is to provide conducive business environment by fighting corruption, red tape, criminality and illegal drugs.



“Ako sinabi ko ganun lang: I will make the city peaceful. I will make corruption in the city a thing of the past,” he said.

He noted that Davao City was the first city to impose a three-day limit on the issuance of clearances.

His city, he said, became progressive because he did not tolerate corruption.



“And so what I can say is: In this government, there will be no corruption. This government will be clean and I will promise you law and order,” he added.



Now that he is President, he said, he has given each department in the national government one month to process all clearances and permits. But for local government units, he said he has yet to formulate a rule and he may require them to process all permits and clearances in about five days to one week.



The President also told businessmen about the huge potential of Mindanao, particularly in the agriculture sector, stressing his administration’s efforts to bring peace to the region.



At the same time, the President reiterated his promise to fight the proliferation of illegal drugs.



“It will continue until the last drug lord and the last pusher is out of the streets,” he said.



Also during Thursday’s event, the President witnessed the turnover of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Flag from Laos to the Philippines. The country will host the ASEAN Summit next year.PND