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President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr is organising a comprehensive government strategy, wherein the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) accelerate the mandatory implementation of electronic Business One-Stop Shops (eBOSS) across all local government units (LGUs).
Republic Act (RA) 11032, known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, specifies in Section 11(c) that LGUs are required to establish a fully operational eBOSS within three years from the law’s effective date. This eBOSS streamlines the application filing process and issuance of local business licenses, permits, clearances, and authorisations. The responsibility for implementing this provision of the law is assigned to DILG, DICT, DTI, and ARTA, as stipulated by RA 11032.
As per Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 2021, LGUs are acknowledged as fully compliant if they adhere to the core features of eBOSS. These features include:
- Online or electronic submission of applications using the unified application form.
- Online uploading of required documents.
- Issuance of electronic tax bill/tax order of payment.
- Integration of Barangay Clearance and Fire Safety Inspection Certificate.
- Online payment using electronic/digital facilities and gateways.
- Issuance of electronic versions of permits with the same level of authority as the hardcopy.
Last year, ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez announced that 19 LGUs had successfully implemented fully streamlined and automated eBOSS. The LGUs that comply with the eBOSS requirement will witness a significant surge in business registrations and revenue. He explained that the best way to battle red tape and corruption is not only to digitalise processes but to streamline the same, otherwise, it will just be digitalising red tape. Additionally, if Singapore can process of permit in 10 minutes, the Philippines can do it not far behind in 30 minutes, he stated.
ARTA commended 16 cities and municipalities for the implementation by presenting them with a Certificate of Commendation. These recognised areas include Manila City, Marikina City, Quezon City, Navotas City, Valenzuela City, Muntinlupa City, Parañaque City, Pasay City, San Fernando City, Ilagan City, Batangas City, Lapu-Lapu City, San Roque in Northern Samar, Cagayan de Oro City, Malabon City, and Balanga City.
In November 2023, the Department of the Interior and Local Government took the lead in organising an Ease of Doing Business (EODB) compliance audit. Representatives from the Anti-Red Tape Authority, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry participated in the seven-day assessment. This audit aimed to evaluate the efforts of LGUs in Metro Manila regarding their adherence to the provisions of Republic Act 11032.
The ARTA team played a crucial role in the audit, specifically focusing on investigating the reasons behind both compliance and non-compliance among these LGUs. Additionally, they gained firsthand insights into the best practices employed by the LGUs in facilitating ease of doing business.
The Presidential Management Staff (PMS) has taken the forefront in driving the government’s initiative for the compulsory implementation of eBOSS. It has issued directives to implementing agencies to organise a nationwide eBOSS Caravan in 2024, signifying a concerted effort to promote and ensure widespread adoption of the eBOSS system across the country.
“It is an honour to be working with the DILG, DICT, and DTI to hasten President Marcos Jr’s thrust to improve government service delivery to Filipinos. As we heed the directives of the PMS, we have no doubt that we are well on our way towards more digitalised and streamlined processes,” Perez said.
