ILOILO City – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is pushing to fully automate the Business Permits and Licensing Systems (BPLS) across all 139 local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas by 2028.
“The lesser the face-to-face negotiation, the better, and there is the least corruption,” explained DILG Region 6 director Juan Jovian Ingeniero.
Currently, according to Ingeniero, only 104 of the region’s LGUs have implemented an automated BPLS, and of these, only Pavia in Iloilo Province and Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental have achieved full automation.
“These two LGUs are our pioneers in fully automated BPLS within Region 6,” said Ingeniero.
Automation of all aspects of the business registration process is mandated by Republic Act (RA) 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
Ingeniero emphasized that the law aims to streamline current systems and procedures in government services, reducing the opportunities for corruption.
Chances for corruption is low when there is lesser human negotiation or interaction in business registration, he stressed.
Ingeniero also mentioned that Iloilo City and Bacolod City are on the brink of full automation, with final system tweaks being carried out in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Western Visayas comprises six provinces, 16 cities, and 117 municipalities.
Compliance with RA 11032 not only enhances investment attractiveness but also increases the likelihood of LGUs receiving the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), particularly under the business-friendliness and competitiveness indicator.
Known as the “mother of all awards,” the SGLG is a prestigious recognition awarded to LGUs demonstrating exceptional transparency and accountability.
Ingeniero acknowledged the collaborative efforts with government agencies like the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), DICT, and the DILG-Central Office in streamlining the registration and acquisition of business permits at LGUs.
RA 11032 encompasses all government offices and agencies, including government-owned or controlled corporations and other government instrumentalities, aiming to promote integrity, accountability, and effective management of public affairs to prevent graft and corruption.
The law also stresses the importance of maintaining honesty among public officials and employees and emphasizes measures to enhance transparency in government transactions, promoting a culture of good governance amidst challenges in local governance./PN
