THE TAGUIG CITY GUIDE ISSUE 1 VOLUME 1 | 2017 • How Taguig is shaping a dynamic future • Inside the Philippines’ most progressive city • 20 Minutes with Mayor Lani Cayetano • Where to invest in the Philippines • Exploring the city from day to night • Organic farming in the City Mandaluyong P ASIG RIVER EDSA C5 ROAD PASIG RIVER Pasig Uptown Makati D Bonifacio EDSA 32nd Street PASIG RIVER Fort Bonifacio A Metro Market Market 5th AvenueSM Aura Pateros Premier C Manila Mckinley American West Cemetery and Memorial Lawton Avenue H Vista Mall Taguig City Hall G Heritage Park SOUTH LUZON EXPRESSWAY Acacia Estates C6 ROAD Libingan ng mga Bayani E C5 ROAD B F Characterized by a strong government, a diverse population and robust industries, Taguig is a highly urbanized Arca city that is evolving into a dynamic and sustainable community by supporting and driving economic growth, South NINOY AQUINO focusing on the development of its people, and integrating environmental thinking into its plans. INTERNATIONAL PNR FTI AIRPORT Taguig C6 ROAD Laguna Lake M.L.Quezon Avenue Parañaque Taguig lies at the western shore of PNR Bicutan Laguna Lake, at the southeastern portion of Metro Manila. Napindan River (a tributary of Pasig River), forms the common border of Taguig and Pasay City, while Taguig River Muntinlupa (also a Pasig River tributary) cuts through the northern half of the city. The city’s topography has given it a rather unique characteristic, where water features, farmlands, urbanized centers and commercial districts are all within a 20-minute drive from each other. A Bonifacio Global City Land Area: 45.38 sq.km. B Lakeshore Community C Population: 804,915 McKinley Hill D Uptown Bonifacio Density: 12,000 per/km E Acacia Estates Literacy rate: 98.1% F Arca South G Taguig City Hall Number of Barangays: 28 H All Home / Vista Mall Average Annual Growth Rate: 4.32% Characterized by a strong government,TAGUIG a diverse population A and Trobust Aindustries, G TaguigLANCE is a highly urbanized city that is evolving into a dynamic and sustainable community by supporting and driving economic growth, focusing on the development of its people, and integrating environmental thinking into its plans. • Land Area: 4,538.2 hectares • Population: 804,915 • Density: 12,000 per/km • Literacy rate: 98.1% • Number of Barangays: 28 • Average Annual Growth Rate: 4.32%; The Taguig City Guide | 03 TAGUIG: Creating a Dynamic Urban Future How the economic boom is defining the direction of the city A new urban landscape is taking shape in Taguig, and with the inevitable developments in the city, the local government is working to create a community at pace with progress. The city is Possessing a rich yet little-known history, the city is now fast transforming as the country’s investing next center of investment. It is a dynamic Php4.7B in socio setting where the development of its people and better business policies are proving to be and economic the local government’s keys to success. development.” With a population over 650,000, Taguig looks to its future—the city government outlines the programs being planned and implemented to further improve city services and cultivate its vision of building an ideal business environment. 04 | The Taguig City Guide FOUR WAYS THE CITY RULES TAGUIG: —Why Taguig is now among the top five cities in the Philippines per capita income 1 Business Address 3 Good Governance 4 Ease of Doing Business Top companies have already The assurance that taxes paid The mayor describes the Creating a Dynamic chosen to make the central areas are being used correctly and meaningful partnership with the of Bonifacio Global City (BGC) efficiently creates a more secure business sector as the overriding and McKinley Hill their base, environment for business. The theme for the city’s policies. “The Urban Future including multinationals and city’s aggressive anti-graft drive has ease of doing business with Taguig industry leaders in various sectors earned Taguig the 2014 E-Readiness is very evident. With the city’s from manufacturing to consulting Leadership Award for adapting continuous effort to improve services and technology. Identified information technology to help the transparency and accountability as the next financial hub, BGC is implement local governance. of transactions, it won’t be long the preferred location of business Coupled with an increase in before we completely eliminate process outsourcing (BPO) firms, tax collection, from Php4.19B in red tape in all transactions,” says international banks and financial 2015 to Php4.66B in 2016, it also the mayor. “Transparency and entities. The number of business allocated an increased budget for accountability, coupled with good permit applications in Taguig has city development, reporting a 177% business policies, make Taguig City been growing exponentially. increase in the annual budget in the the successful and competitive past 7 years, from Php3B in 2010 to financial district it is today.” 2 Lower Taxes Php8.32B in 2017. For 2017, the city Taguig City was recognized by It has the lowest tax rates is investing Php4.7B in socio and the World Bank as one of the best among the 16 cities that make up economic development. places in the Philippines to do Metro Manila’s National Capital Only 12.73% of the 2015 annual business. In its Ease of Doing Region. Taguig has lower taxes for budget comes from Internal Business study released in 2010, manufacturers, banks, restaurants, Revenue Allotment of the national Taguig ranked first among the cities services, distributors, dealers and government, making Taguig among in Metro Manila for the easiest and exporters compared to other cities. the Top 9 Performing Cities by least number of processes needed It also has lower residential and real the Department of Interior and for putting up a business. property taxes. Mayor Lani Cayetano Local Government. “We believe says the city has not raised its tax businessmen and entrepreneurs rates for the past four years. continue to be attracted to the self-sufficient nature of Taguig City,” says the mayor. The Taguig City Guide | 05 TAGUIG: Urban future TWENTY MINUTES WITH THE MAYOR Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, 33, believes in focusing on people development. We asked how the local government is doing and how it plans to sustain growth for the future. What are your top priorities? Laguna de Bay lakeshore Our top priorities are to uphold community along C-6 road. our policies of ease of doing Mayor Lani Cayetano joins city festivals. business, lower taxes and good What role does governance. We are focusing on the Taguig’s lakeshore entry of new businesses, creating community play? opportunities for employment and We have a thriving fisherfolk PERSONAL entrepreneurship, and investing in community on the western shore HISTORY education and training to bridge of Laguna de Bay, a source of the gap between companies and livelihood for 1,080 registered job seekers. fishermen. It has a 10-kilometer Age: 33 lakeshore area, which we are Age when elected into office: Why are you focusing envisioning to develop into 29 on the business sector? mixed-use facilities with a huge We try to be a good partner with the potential for eco-tourism. We just Date of office: May 2010 private sector because we believe inaugurated a new public park in that as long as they are happy with time for the holidays last year. Fort Youngest rep: Became first the way things are being run in the Bonifacio is only 10 to 20 minutes female representative of city, they will continue investing and away from here, and it is accessible Taguig-Pateros at 25 consequently enable us to deliver by bike. If we have more activities social services to our constituents. Progressive Lady: At 22, on the lakeshore, there would be a established the Progressive great synergy among residents and What are the major Ladies’ League of the centers of development? the city’s communities. Philippines (PLLP), an The local government of Taguig organization that promotes How are you women’s rights and welfare administers Fort Bonifacio, one of addressing the city’s Metro Manila’s growth zones for employment needs? Governance studies: Finished business, residential and commercial Education and job training have a special course in Innovative development. Several mixed use always been our thrust. We’re and Developmental Local developments are already under way, constantly updating the curriculum Governance and Policy Making creating more upscale residential of Taguig City University, and for Local Chief Executives and and commercial offerings, such soon we will be operating a new Legislators at the University as McKinley West and Uptown Manpower Training Center, a of the Philippines in Diliman Bonifacio of Megaworld, North modern facility for technical Education: Bachelor Bonifacio and Veritown of Federal and vocational work. It will feature of Arts degree in Mass Land. The 440-hectare center of simulated work environments, Communication from Centro Bonifacio Global City or BGC has as well as practical and hands-on Escolar University definitiely led the way in the last teaching and learning methods. ten years and continues to be the Recognition: In 2009, she preferred area for most businesses. How is the city faring? earned recognition from the But we are also preparing for the We have one of the highest rates United Nations Associations economic boost of the upcoming of employment in the country at of the Philippines for her Arca South, the former Food 89%. The city is an environment accomplishments in Politics Terminal Incorporated, a 70-hectare where there are vast opportunities and Government Service. business and lifestyle district being for improving the lives of the people Spouse: Senate Minority developed by Ayala Land.