LGU stands in the way of progress

I remember hearing President P-Noy declare that, henceforth, processing of business permits and licenses (BPLS) shall be simplified. The time when business permits and licenses took years to secure is past. This unacceptable practice must stop, he emphasized. He then ordered his men to get to work to streamline the system.

As expected, DILG and DTI dutifully came out with a project. Limit documentary requirements to those prescribed by law, zoning ordinance or other regulations and issue a business permit in 5 days! Wow! Who would not applauded that? After all, the World Bank’s 2011 Doing Business Report ranks the Philippines a dismal 148th out of 180 economies surveyed in terms of doing business. Obviously, streamlining BPLS could help make doing business in the country easier and stress-free. Coupled with the enforcement of the Full Disclosure Policy in the LGUs to ensure transparency in government, we are, perhaps on the way to global competitiveness and will be able, finally, to catch up with our more developed Asian neighbors.

Except that our experience in Maragondon in the Province of Cavite seems to belie all that. A multi-billion project called Maragondon Bulk Water Project — owned by a partnership between the Local Water District, an international consortium called WBSolutions, and Macroasia — applied for a mayor’s permit in August of last year and as of this day (Feb 2012), or seven months later, the local government has not issued them a mayor’s permit! SEVEN MONTHS or 210 DAYS! and counting!

The project is expected to generate a significant number of jobs and contribute tens of millions to the coffers of the municipal government. It is therefore like a long-overdue shot in the arm for our rural and backward town. A 4th class municipality for the longest time, Maragondon’s time to progress seems to have arrived. But a stubborn local government doesn’t seem to be excited about the prospect. It has opted to stand in the way. I wonder why. — Fr. ERNESTO P. CRUZ, Maragondon, Cavite