Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Monday ordered the city’s economic departments to accelerate performance in 2026, warning officials that recent improvements in frontline services must not lead to complacency.

During a flag-raising ceremony, Sotto directed the Economic Development Sector to prioritize the streamlining of business processes and the expansion of support for local entrepreneurs.

The mayor cited visible progress in the Business Permit and Licensing Department during the recent renewal period but called for deeper reforms, specifically citing the need for stronger digitization, more robust online services, and more aggressive measures to eliminate red tape.

Sotto also instructed the Local Economic Development and Investment Office to expand the TAPAT loan program, an initiative that provides financing to micro, small, and medium enterprises. He said that the city intends to increase the number of businesses benefiting from the financing support this year.

In addition to business services, Sotto issued directives for city facilities and transport regulation.

He tasked the Market Administration Office with maintaining cleanliness and order at the Mutya ng Pasig Mega Market, while the Tricycle Operation and Regulatory Office was ordered to better manage passenger loading and unloading zones to improve traffic flow.

The mayor further challenged other departments to improve their output, telling the Public Employment Service Office to strengthen connections between local jobseekers and employers. He also directed the Veterinary Services Department to continue upgrades at the city slaughterhouse.

Sotto stressed that the challenges of daily operations should push offices to find more efficient ways of delivering public services as the city moves into the new year.