DTI holds BPLS Assessment and Planning Workshop

SORSOGON CITY, June 6 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sorsogon headed by Provincial Director Leah Pagao conducted a one-day provincial assessment and planning workshop on the implementation of the streamlining of the Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) today at the Mango Grill, Magsaysay St., Sorsogon City.

In attendance to the activity were the Municipal/City Treasurers, Business Permits & Licensing Officers (BPLOs) and Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOO) from the 14 municipalities and the lone city of the Province of Sorsogon.

DTI Sorsogon Public Information Officer Senen Malaya said the activity aimed at providing a proper and effective venue to discuss different issues and concerns affecting the implementation of the BPLS reforms in the Province of Sorsogon.

“Specifically, it aimed to assess and evaluate the implementation of the BPLS in the 15 LGUs of the province; recognize best practices and check on LGU bottom lines; and identify issues and concerns among LGUs on the extent of BPLS implementation and look for possible solutions and actions based on the experiences and best practices of other LGUs,” said Mr. Malaya.

The BPLS is a nationwide streamlining program which is a simplified business registration process that will reduce the number of steps, application form and the number of signatories in business permit applications.

The program is a priority of President Benigno S. Aquino III as mentioned in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2010.

“In response, to the President’s directive, the DTI and DILG launched the nationwide streamlining of BPLS on August 2010 with the RA 9485 and the Joint DILG – DTI Department Administrative Order No. 10 – 07 as the legal bases,” Mr. Malaya also said.

RA 9485 or the Anti Red Tape Act mandates government agencies to simplify frontline services procedures, formulate service standards to be observed in every transaction and make known these to the public.

The Joint DILG – DTI Department Administrative Order No. 10 – 07 meanwhile, spells out the Guidelines in Implementing the Nationwide Upscaling of Reforms in Processing Business Permits and Licenses in all Cities and Municipalities in the Philippines. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon/MEDoluntap,Jr, DTI)