By Chito Chavez
The Quezon City (QC) government in strict compliance with the anti-corruption drive of Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday said it has met the “seven to eight’’ minutes requirement imposed by the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) in securing the occupancy permit.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (Major Joy Belmonte / Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
Belmonte said an occupancy permit can be released within five to eight minutes as part of the city’s improved processes in obtaining permits in accordance with Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act.
“Ikinagagalak kong ipaalam na ating nakamit ang seven to eight minuto na ‘requirement’ ng DTI sa pagkuha ng occupancy permit, sapagkat maaari ka nang makakuha nito sa QC sa loob ng five to eight minuto (I am happy to announce that we have met the seven to eight minutes requirement of the DTI in obtaining the occupancy permit which can now be secured within five to eight minutes),” said Belmonte.
She said that the city government is regularly coordinating with the DTI to further improve the city’s business processes in its efforts to entice investors to make QC their preferred investment destination.
The DTI designated QC as a “pilot city” for the implementation of Republic Act 11032 or commonly known as the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA).
Recently, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez conducted a “Good Governance Lecture” with various QC officials regarding the implementation of ARTA, which Belmonte dubbed as a crucial piece in her effort to strengthen good governance.
“Importante ang ARTA sa akin lalo na't ipinaglalaban ko ang good governance o mabuting pamamahala ng gobyerno (The ARTA is important for me especially when I am fighting for good governance or righteous way of running the government’s affairs),” said Belmonte.
“Sa katunayan, nililinis na natin ang lokal na pamahalaan, lalo na sa mga departamentong may kinalaman sa mga negosyo at permit, upang mapabilis ang serbisyo sa mga taga-lungsod Quezon (As proof, we already had a housecleaning of the city government especially in the offices handling business and other permits to ease doing transactions for local residents),” she added.
As part of her 14-point executive agenda, Belmonte is aiming to make QC as preferred destination for businesses by improving business processes.
Belmonte also has intended to release business permits for low-risk businesses in one to two days and one week for high-risk businesses which need thorough scrutiny.