FINDING ANSWERS

Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come, according to renowned French novelist Victor Hugo.

The famous quote can certainly be true for those who act promptly on an idea that turns out to be really beneficial. For those who dilly-dally, losing big time is a real consequence.
A prime example of a powerful idea is the so-called “eBOSS” or electronic Business One-Stop Shop as mandated by RA 11032, the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, which created the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).

The idea of setting up eBOSS in each of the 1,486 municipalities and 148 cities in the entire country came up when RA 11032 became effective in June 2018 and was supposed to be fully implemented within three years, or by June 2021. But it’s been more than five years and a vast majority of local government units have yet to comply.

Speeding up the implementation of eBOSS was among the things discussed at last week’s Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, which focused on the vital role of ARTA in battling corruption and making the Philippines more business-friendly. Guests were Secretary Ernesto Perez, ARTA director-general; George Barcelon, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Roberto Alvarez, chairman of Buklod Bayani.

The law requiring LGUs to set up eBOSS states that the Departments of Information and Communications Technology, Trade and Industry, and Interior and Local Governments have to provide assistance.

Section 11 (c) of RA 11032 reads: “Cities/Municipalities are mandated to automate their business permitting and licensing system or set up an electronic BOSS within a period of three years upon the effectivity of this Act for a more efficient business registration processes. Cities/Municipalities with electronic BOSS shall develop electronic versions of licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorizations with the same level of authority, which may be printed by businesses in the convenience of their offices. The DICT shall make available to LGUs the software for the computerization of the business permit and licensing system. The DICT, DTI, and DILG, shall provide technical assistance in the planning and implementation of a computerized or software-enabled business permitting and licensing system.”

Sec. Perez, who has been at the helm of ARTA for just around a year, is highly optimistic that all LGUs would be able to eventually comply with the law with the support of various sectors, despite constraints like lack of resources for many LGUs and the usual poor internet connectivity.

He certainly realizes that eBOSS is the ultimate solution to the number one concern of the business sector: the need to greatly improve the ease of doing business. He said that some cities that have set up eBOSS can process new applications for business permits within 30 minutes to one day. He adds that a Samar town will soon launch its eBOSS. “If a 4th class municipality in Samar can do it, others can also do it. It’s just a matter of political will,” he explained.

Sec. Perez also announced plans to level up the use of technology like the scanning of the QR code in a business permit to find out if it has been legally secured. He said such improvement would prompt business owners to comply with local requirements, knowing they could be easily caught if they fail to do so.

There’s no doubt that establishing eBOSS in all cities and towns would have a tremendous impact on our economy. LGUs would certainly reap immense benefits. With eBOSS leading to increased local tax collection, LGUs would no longer be too dependent on their share of the National Tax Allocation. When more businesses can easily register, job creation in localities becomes quicker.

ARTA’s vigorous pursuit of its mandate to make the Philippines more business-friendly is crucial. It’s widely known that red tape fuels corruption, and eradicating it has always been a tough challenge for previous administrations.

But hope springs eternal. With the support of groups like the PCCI and Buklod Bayani, the vital role of ARTA and its leadership can do a lot in improving our country’s standing in the World Bank’s survey on ease of doing business which, in turn leads to more much-needed investments coming in. (Email: [email protected])