DTI: ‘Execute, execute, execute‘ reform initiatives

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has called on all government agencies to earnestly implement the reform packages spelled out in Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act (EODB), to deliver on the Duterte administration’s campaign promise to make government transactions faster.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, chair of the EODB/Anti-Red Tape Advisory Council, said during the recent 6th Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Summit at the PICC in Pasay City that the government has already implemented 19 reforms that it hopes would have an impact on the 2019 World Bank Doing Business (DB) Survey Report.

Lopez said, “Our thrust is to ‘Execute, execute, execute.’ We must continue to implement these reform initiatives and identify the obstacles to our progress,” as he called on all government agencies to fully implement the restructuring programs identified by the EODB Task Force.

Lopez said that some of the initiatives undertaken by various agencies are seen to have a positive effect on seven of the ten indicators of the DB Report.

These indicators include: starting a business, dealing with construction permits getting electricity, registering property, protecting minority investors, trading across borders, and enforcing contracts.

Among the reforms already implemented to streamline the business process are:

The following reforms have been implemented: Company Registration System (CRS) implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Executive Order 11 issued by Quezon City creating a One-stop Shop (OSS) for business and building permits.

Barangay clearances shall no longer be held as a prior requirement for business and building permit application, and Single Window Transaction initiated by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

In Quezon City, a one-stop shop for single, integrated application and approval for building permits, locational clearances, fire safety evaluation clearances, certificates of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificates, tax declarations (new warehouse), certificates of final electrical inspection, and certificates of machinery operation for construction permits.

Meralco has also set up the CXE (Customer eXperience Engine) inside the Quezon City Hall to receive service applications and to inform contractors and customers on how to apply for electricity and submit requirements online.

In addition, the departments of interior, public works and trade and industry have issued a Joint Memorandum Circular on Construction Permits that sets uniform standards for processing building permits and certificates of occupancy, including application forms, requirements, steps, processing time, one-time assessment, and payment of fees.

Lopez stressed that the passage of the EODB should compel all agencies of government to comply with streamlining and re-engineering. This he said, effectively broadens the scope of the interagency task force.

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