DILG, DTI launch project to streamline business permits and licenses

By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
October 28, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  As part of the Nationwide Streamlining of Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) Reform Project for local government units (LGUs), a launching program was held on October 28, 2010 (Thursday) at the DILG-8 Regional Office, in Tacloban City.

The activity is in line with a joint memorandum of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to speed up the issuance of business permits and licenses in cities and municipalities and thus improve business climate in the country.

DILG-8 Dir. Francisco C. Jose in his message cited the country’s poor competitiveness ranking in investors’ confidence as a reason to improve BPLS.  “Improving the permits system will help towns and cities to attract more investors, foster economic growth, and generate jobs,” Dir. Jose added.

DTI Director Nierras on the other hand, provided an overview of the BPLS Reforms. She expounded on the minimum standards for processing business applications. This included following a unified and single application form; reducing signatories to five, limiting the number of steps to five; and limiting processing time to 10 days for new applications and five (5) days for renewals.

The activity likewise had a sharing of good practices and success stories on BPLS implementation from the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban City.  Board Member Roque Tiu represented Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, while Mr. Vince Rama subbed for Leyte 4th District Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez. Other officials from LGUs, national agencies, local resource institutions and NGOs were also represented.

A draft memorandum of agreement was also signed by concerned parties to strengthen BPLS implementation in the region.  The DILG-DTI Joint Memo Circular No. 1 series of 2010 contained implementing guidelines that set the standards in processing business permits and licensing in all cities and municipalities.

BPLS is a priority reform program of President Noynoy Aquino and DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo to improve the country’s competitive performance in combating red tape and improving revenue generation in local government units.