MANILA, Philippines — The head of the government’s anti-red tape body on Monday said they are targeting to have a hundred local government units (LGUs) establish their own fully-functional online one-stop business shops this year to further improve the ease of doing business in the country.
Anti-red Tape Authority (ARTA) Secretary Ernesto Perez said they were able to get 113 out of a total of 1,483 LGUs to be fully compliant with the law which requires a centralized hub for business requirements.
“This year, we are targeting another 100 so that by the end of the year, 200 local government units shall have operationalized an electronic business one-stop shop,” Perez said during a press conference in Quezon City.
“But our ultimate goal is that before the end of this administration, all 1,483 local government units should have set up and operationalized an electronic business one-stop shop,” he said further.
The establishment of an electronic business one-stop shop is a mandatory requirement under Republic Act No. 11032, more commonly referred to as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.”
Under the law, it must feature a unified application form, online uploading of required documents, and allow the issuance of electronic tax bills or order of payment according to the ARTA.
It must also allow the issuance of a valid electronic permit which has the same level of authority as a hard copy, an integrated online payment feature, and a link connecting to a physical courier to deliver permits, added the anti-red tape body.
Additionally, the ARTA chief said that they will also be launching in May a guidebook for government agencies and the private sector which will serve as a manual for key reforms aligned with a regulatory framework that enhances the business environment in the country.
“The reform guidebook that we’ll launch on May 21 this year is being done through closer collaboration with government agencies, with our partners from the private sector, of course, and also with the World Bank,” said Perez.
“Issues on red tape, issues on corruption, these have got to be addressed with urgency,” he added.