Cities, towns streamline processing of biz permits

CEBU, Philippines - Fifty-four cities and municipalities are now starting to streamline business registration by implementing the “Business Permit and Licensing System” project or BPLS.

According to Department of the Interior and Local Government 7 (DILG) Information Officer Willie Jean Cabanag, there are 48 local government units from Bohol, two in Negros and four from Cebu province will join the said program.

He added that the DILG 7 and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 worked together in the implementation of the streamlining business permits and licensing project.

Both agencies will conduct the necessary capacity building programs to enable LGUs to comply with the BPLS standards as well as to coordinate with other government agencies involved in the BPLS to streamline operations and assist in generating resources for the BPLS project.

According to the DTI 7, the project offers limitless advantages to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Benefits include reduced bureaucratic costs, shorter and clearer procedures and less processing time, among others.

LGUs, meanwhile, benefit mainly through more investments, registration of more businesses, and improved tax collections and local income.

Republic Act No. 9485 otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 mandates government instrumentalities and local government units to provide efficient delivery of services to the public by reducing bureaucratic red tape thus preventing graft and corruption.

The application for business permits or business renewals based on the reform guidelines involve five steps. First is securing an application form, second is filling or submission of the accomplished application form with attached documentary requirements, third is the one-time assessment of taxes, fees and charges, followed by one-time payment of taxes, fees and charges and lastly, securing the mayor’s permit upon submission of the official receipt as proof of payment of taxes, fees and charges imposed by the LGU.

The said project was made to speed up the issuance of business permits and licenses in cities and municipalities in the country. It was recently launched in Makati City with DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo. (FREEMAN)