CH to consult stakeholders

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City officials and personnel as well as representatives of different government agencies will hold a two-day post assessment meeting starting tomorrow to find ways how to speed up the issuance of business permits.

Public Information Officer Carlo Dugaduga said the post assessment meeting on the renewal of business permits will be held at the Cebu City Resource Management and Development Center (Cremdec) building in Barangay Taptap, a mountain barangay of the city.

City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva said, aside from the personnel from her office, personnel from the City Health Department, Office of the Building Officials, fire department, Social Security System, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, Department of Tourism and businessmen’s representatives are also attending.

Dugaduga said it is aimed to improve the city treasurer’s business permit service by accepting suggestions how to improve the system particularly in the renewal of the permits.

President Benigno Aquino, through Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), earlier urged local government chief executives to make the issuance of business permits easier.

Some of the city legislators suggested waiving the requirements of clearances from the SSS, Pag-IBIG and Philhealth in the issuance of business permits.

Robredo said that local chief executives may issue temporary business permits to applicants even if they do not have the other requirements yet subject to condition that they will comply with it within a specific period.

Councilor Jose Daluz III, chairman of the committee on budget and finance of the Cebu City Council, said this will make business permit applications easier.

Oliva said she will listen to the suggestions of the participants during the two-day assessment meeting and whatever recommendations will be submitted to the mayor or City Council for approval. (FREEMAN)