RDC-7 enjoins LGUs to switch to new licensing system

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

Sunday 1st of July 2012

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 1 (PIA) -- The Regional Development (RDC-7) in Central Visayas approved a resolution enjoining local government units (LGUs) to switch to the new permits and licensing program which has improved revenue generation of 40 LGUs in the region.

According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional Director Asteria Caberte the Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) program reduces time, signatories, and costs in securing business permits thus, eliminating chances for graft and corruption.

"This is with the end goal of facilitating investments and increasing local revenues," Caberte said.

The program recommends standards for BPLS that LGUs can follow; develops capacity building programs for BPLS streamlining; organizes regional government departments to partner with LGUs in implementing the BPLS reforms; and harmonize business permits and licensing forms.

The system limits the processing time in issuing and/or approving applications for business permits and licenses to a maximum of 10 days, f uses a unified form of applications and renewals, it also limits the steps in applying for new or renewal of permits and licenses.

Caberte said the DTI and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier signed a joint circular for the implementation of the BPLS in all LGUs in the country.

According to Caberte, the 40 LGUs that adopted the BPLS dramatically increased their revenues in new business registrations and renewals, prompting other LGUs to voluntarily opt for the BPLS adoption in their respective areas.

In Cebu City for example, a 60-working day time frame for a business to be approved now only takes days days, she cited.

Caberte also pointed out that by the RDC action, it can help approximate the President’s BPLS national target covering all LGUs by 2015. (mbcn/rahc-PIA 7,Bohol)