By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT To ensure streamlining of requirements during the business renewal season, the Anti-Red Tape Authority issued Memorandum Circular 2020-01 which orders all local government units (LGUs) to exempt business establishments located inside malls and Central Business Districts from requiring the submission of locational clearance and zoning ordinance. The memorandum circular also requires LGUs to ensure the availability and accessibility of the Local Government Comprehensive Land Use Plan to the public. Furthermore, risk-profiling of business permits applications and renewal based on its geographical location and post auditing of business tenants located within shopping malls and CBDs are being ordered. “We are heading towards the right direction: To a more simplified and more business-friendly and people-friendly processes sa ating pamahalaan” said ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica during his Facebook live. Before the issuance of this order, consultations were made with management representatives from the top malls of the country and other stakeholders to discuss their experiences in business renewal processing and to hear the needs that can be addressed by ARTA. Relative to the business renewal season, Belgica spearheaded the LGU Process Tour in Quezon City and in the City of Manila, to check their compliance with the Ease of Doing Business, especially on the establishment of the Business One Stop Shop, and the development of a Unified Business Application Form. ARTA continued its spot inspections on LGUs to enforce compliance and ensure improvements in government services according to the provision of Republic Act (RA) 11032. ARTA, created by RA11032 under the Office of the President, is the lead agency in improving the ease of doing business of regulatory mechanisms across the country.