TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Development Council (RDC) urged local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas to adopt the Electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) system for a more convenient way of processing business applications during pandemic.
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) regional director Bonifacio Uy said in a phone interview Thursday the RDC approved the resolution promoting eBOSS to local governments during its virtual meeting on Sept. 30, 2021.
The eBOSS is a unified online system that eases the process of applying for business licenses and permits by providing a singular platform for the processing of applications, receipt of payments, and issuance of approved licenses, clearances, permits, or authorizations.
The system accepts online or electronic submission of an application; issues electronically the tax bill or order of payment; accepts online payments; issues electronic versions of permits, licenses, and clearances; and provides gateway facility linked to courier service for applicants who prefer to receive a hard copy of permits.
“It will help ensure the swift and contactless processing of documents for local businesses,” Uy said.
Early this year, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Joint Memorandum Circular to guide LGUs and other related agencies in processing business permits, related clearances and licenses in all cities and towns.
This is pursuant to Republic Act 11032, otherwise known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
Under the joint circular, local governments were mandated to adopt the eBOSS by June 2021.
To foster LGU compliance with the eBOSS, the Eastern Visayas RDC directed that a support system be developed by the ARTA, the DICT, DTI, DILG, and other concerned agencies, according to Uy.
“The said support system includes providing guidelines and standards for the local governments in setting up the eBOSS, providing training and maintenance support for the local governments, making the relevant software available to local governments, and providing policy direction and monitoring the implementation of the standards and policies,” Uy added.
The RDC-8 also recommended the Regional Competitiveness Committee, led by the DTI and the DILG, to initiate an activity to encourage and monitor the transition of all provinces, cities, and towns to the eBOSS system.
“This is needed as this will help encourage economic dynamism and competitiveness in Eastern Visayas,” he told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The RDC issued the reminder to local governments in response to the request of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Eastern Visayas chapter for the RDC to assess and monitor the implementation of processing of business permits and licenses in the new normal.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)
