BORACAY – A one-stop shop will be opened in this island resort to cater to business establishments that have to secure for permits in compliance with the existing environmental laws.
Establishing the shop will help the businesses apply faster for permits so that they could operate just in time for the island’s reopening on Oct. 26.
The shop will be manned by personnel from the Environment, Tourism and Interior and Local Government departments.
This was agreed upon by members of the Boracay Interagency Task Force, led by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, on Friday.
The government will impose a “no compliance, no operation” policy in Boracay.
“Those who are already compliant can also go to the one-stop shop to secure a clearance from the three agencies,” Cimatu said.
He added that they have to be strict in ensuring that all business establishments in the island have the necessary permits, especially the environmental compliance certificate (ECC).
Cimatu said they have yet to determine the area where the one-stop shop will be set up. There is no final date for the beginning of its operation, too.
The Environment chief said that for the meantime, establishments can process some of the permit requirements with the DENR at Casa Pilar in the island.
Cimatu said an average of 90 establishments visit their office daily to validate their compliance to environmental laws.
Businesses have to secure the ECC, certificate of non-coverage, discharge permit, permit to operate, mayor’s permit, barangay clearance, Bureau of Internal Revenue annual registration, clearance certificate from the Social Security System, occupancy permit, garbage fee, sanitary permit, real property tax clearance (if applicable), and building permit, among others. (With a report from PNA/PN)