Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has called on local government units (LGUs) in the country to establish their own Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) to help encourage investments and support economic growth.
By establishing a BPLO, the senator said LGUs create a one-stop shop for business-related transactions, reducing the burden on entrepreneurs and making government services more accessible and systematic.
“It complements the spirit of the Ease of Doing Business Act, which laid the groundwork for efficient service delivery,” said Gatchalian, a co-author of Senate Bill 1278 or the BPLO Act.
Senate Bill No. 1278 primarily seeks to ensure that every city and municipality will have a dedicated BPLO, enabling LGUs to have the tools and mandate to serve their constituents better.
As a former mayor of Valenzuela City, Gatchalian said he worked on establishing a BPLO within his jurisdiction so his constituents who wish to be entrepreneurs can easily secure the necessary business permits.
“As a former mayor of Valenzuela City, I know the hardship that Valenzuelans used to suffer in obtaining business permits,” the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, pointed out.
“(That’s why) LGUs need to be ready and equipped to respond promptly and effectively to investor needs particularly small businesses and startups to help generate employment opportunities for our people and underpin economic growth,” Gatchalian said.
He said institutionalizing BPLOs would provide a supportive and welcoming environment for businesses that will hope to attract much-needed investments, particularly in non-urban areas.
“This bill is a concrete step to ensure that each LGU has the ability to meet the needs of our citizens, especially investors, in a more efficient and orderly manner,” the lawmaker stressed.