DTI starts business registry system

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) yesterday launched the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) which consolidates the process of registering a business to one office, making it easier for entrepreneurs to set up a business in the Philippines.

The registry is the answer to some surveys which tagged the Philippines as the worst place to open a business in Southeast Asia.

The registry serves as a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs who need to transact with several agencies to be able to start operating a business. The entire process would only take 20 to 30 minutes. Before, since the applicant is required to go to the different agencies, the process could take days, even weeks.

Through the registry, applicants do not need to physically go to each agency to register their businesses as they would now be interlinked thru the registry.

The agencies include the DTI, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund (PAG-IBIG), Philippine Health and Insurance Corp (PhilHealth) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

At the LGU level, Quezon City has already connected with the registry system.

Companies may opt to apply from their homes through their PCs or go to DTI offices and register through the registry kiosks or tellers. Application through a teller would involve submission of a filled up application form which may be downloaded from the website.

The system aims to establish a fully secure national business registry database which will integrate information from different government agencies and facilitate seamless transactions among agencies by providing a single window for online business registration across agencies.

With fewer steps and faster process, the registry would be able to strengthen the government’s effort of providing quality service to the people and realize its commitment to curb corruption and reduce red tape in the bureaucracy. Through the registry, the country would become more attractive to investors and would hopefully improve the Philippines’ ranking in global competitiveness.

The launch of the registry is only the first phase of the PBR program. This year, several LGUs and other regulatory offices will connect to the registry. Cities with streamlined business permits and licensing system like such as Caloocan and Mandaluyong are expected to be linked with PBR in the following months.

PBR kiosks would also be installed in selected LGUs nationwide to facilitate registration in far-flung towns.