Mechanisms should be created to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including startups, launch their respective business ventures, Senator Win Gatchalian said Thursday, noting the move would address the impacts of bureaucratic red tape in local investments.
During the Senate’s deliberation on the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) proposed 2025 budget, Gatchalian lamented the country continues to lag behind most economies in terms of ease of doing business despite the enactment of Republic Act 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.
Hence, Gatchalian asked the ARTA “to submit a proposal on how we can help MSMEs and startups in launching businesses.”
He said groups of local businessmen continue to implore for measures that would further ease and lower the cost of doing business in the country.
“These sentiments affect the country's reputation so we need to help our MSMEs through ARTA or in collaboration with other departments,” he noted.
Gatchalian likewise pointed out that the country needs to establish a single platform on which startups can establish their respective businesses.
“We need to empower MSMEs and startups so they can help drive economic growth moving forward,” he added.
In response, ARTA said it is working on a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Information, Communications, and Technology (DICT) to streamline processes and reduce regulatory burdens for MSMEs and facilitate a digital one-stop-shop platform for business permits and licenses.
This move is expected to reduce steps and facilitate faster transaction times for permits and licenses, minimizing bureaucratic obstacles for MSMEs.
As of present, only 112 local government units have fully implemented the Electronic Business One-Stop-Shop (eBOSS) system.
Under RA 11032, all LGUs must establish eBOSS by June 2021.
The eBOSS system aims to consolidate steps into a unified online platform, facilitating faster processing and reducing redundant requirements.