ILOILO — Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has thrown his full support behind the rollout of the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) system in all 43 local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo province, in a push to eliminate red tape, fast-track business permits, and strengthen the province’s competitiveness for investors.
The governor’s endorsement came following a high-level discussion with Ernesto V. Perez, director general of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), during the latter’s courtesy visit on Friday morning, February 27.
The eBOSS system is designed to digitalize and streamline the processing of business permits, reducing bureaucratic delays and minimizing face-to-face transactions — long considered bottlenecks in local governance.
Defensor underscored the urgency of modernizing municipal systems to make them more efficient and investor-ready.
He described the initiative as a necessary step to help municipalities become more competitive in an increasingly digital economy.
While acknowledging internet connectivity challenges in some towns, Defensor stressed that automating business permit processes will ultimately elevate Iloilo’s standing as a business-friendly destination.
He emphasized that the system will also improve transparency and monitoring, noting that the provincial government does not have direct oversight over municipal business approvals.
The Iloilo provincial government and ARTA are scheduled to sign a memorandum of agreement in May, in time for the observance of Ease of Doing Business Month — a move expected to formalize technical and institutional support for the full eBOSS implementation across the province.
During the meeting, Defensor also presented his flagship “Smart and Green Government Center,” a legacy project envisioned as a premier one-stop government hub. The facility aims to integrate key national government agencies in one location to ensure seamless access to essential public services and programs.
Perez was accompanied during the visit by Head Executive Assistant Atty. Sarah Marie P. Lampitoc and Western Visayas Regional Field Office Chief Administrative Officer Josephine Venus D. Castillo.
With full provincial backing and ARTA’s institutional support, Iloilo moves closer to a unified digital permitting system — a reform expected to significantly ease doing business and sharpen the province’s competitive edge./PN
