22 May 2024—The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) led by Secretary Ernesto V. Perez awarded a Certificate of Commendation (COC) to the local government unit (LGU) of Legazpi City, Albay, Calamba and Biñan Cities in Laguna, and Bacoor City, Cavite for establishing a fully automated electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) on 11 April, 26 April, and 05 May 2024, respectively.
Following the 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda of President Ferdinand R. Macos Jr., ARTA recognized four cities in Southern Luzon for their compliance to Republic Act (RA) No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. In collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), ARTA concentrates on improving the bureaucratic efficiency of government processes in the business community through the implementation of eBOSS.
The awarding ceremonies laud the integration of digital innovation in business registration processes, expectedly leading to the progressive shift in the LGUs of Legazpi, Calamba, Biñan, and Bacoor in terms of economic and tourism sectors.
Legazpi City, vanguard of digital innovation, urges neighboring LGUs
Southern Luzon continues its commendation in Legazpi, Albay—the first in Bicol Region. Along with the awarding of COC, the Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting was also held on the same day, encouraging the stakeholders present to voice their concerns to the panelists during the open forum.
“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat at sana po ay maging katuwang namin kayo hanggang sama-sama nating makamit ang isang “Bagong Pilipinas,” isang bayan na maunlad at maginhawa para sa ating lahat at para sa mga susunod pa’ng henerasyon,” Secretary Perez stated in his speech.
Legazpi City is the 21st LGU to be awarded with a COC. City Mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal shared the clear possibility of eBOSS implementation and how other LGUs could replicate it through collaborative efforts of the city officials, departments heads, and employees.
“Political will on the side of the Executive, and of course, sa side po ng mga Department Heads, dapat ready din po sila na magpa-implement nito. And we are commending of course, the effort of our BPLO, headed by Ma’am [Asuncion], and the rest of our department heads dahil po naging very open sila sa mga recommendations and until now, hindi sila nagsasawa na i-upgrade kung ano man ang nasimulan noon.”
Biñan recognized for commitment to progress and efficiency
The City Government of Biñan, Laguna is next to be commended in Southern Luzon in April 2024. Facilitated by Southern Luzon Regional Field Office (RFO) headed by Dr. Karl Joseph D. Sanmocte, the commendation, Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting, and the media conference were conducted altogether on the same day.
ARTA Secretary Perez acknowledged the contributions of the entire local government unit of Biñan for successfully setting up their eBOSS saying, “With the diligence of your local government under the leadership of Mayor Walfredo R. Dimaguila Jr., a significant step heading into a business-friendly environment has been achieved and puts you in a pedestal where other LGUs look up to, and make you an inspiration for their own development.”
A representative from the private sector, Isuzu Philippines Corporation President Tetsuya Fujita, was present in support to the LGU of Biñan City. President Fujita expressed his support as he said that “[eBOSS] is not just an innovation, but also a powerful tool for promoting transparency in business transactions, encoding, and documentation.”
As the 26th LGU to be commended, Biñan City Mayor was full of determination. “Today marks a significant milestone in our city journey towards progress and efficiency in governance. We gather here not only to celebrate our achievements but also to reaffirm our commitment to serving our constituents,” he said.
Calamba incorporates business sustainability with eBOSS
In honor of Calamba’s 23rd year of cityhood, ARTA awarded the City Government of Calamba with a certificate of commendation on 27 April 2024 for its bold pursuit of digitalizing its bureaucratic processes by implementing an entirely functional eBOSS.
During Calamba City’s testimonial dinner for its business partners, ARTA Secretary Perez delivered his message of support mentioning, “We are making strides in replacing red tape with red carpet. The day when all cities and municipalities establish a fully operational eBOSS is the very day that we’re finally taking a step on the red carpet.”
Under Mayor Roseller H. Rizal’s leadership, the City Government of Calamba is the 27th LGU down the line to improve their ease of doing business.
“Dahil sa repormang ito, maraming mga negosyo ang pumiling manatili sa ating lungsod at ang mas magandang epekto, dumami ang mga bagong negosyo at mas tumaas ang ating collection, total revenues from business permits and licenses increase by 26% with 11,000 businesses registered, more than 2,000 of which are new businesses,” Calamba Mayor said.
Bacoor dedicates commendation to its citizens
ARTA recognizes the generous efforts of DILG, DICT, and DTI in the realization of eBOSS—an innovative mechanism that brings economic growth closer to its people.
“As you all know, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is dedicated to promoting ease of doing business through streamlining and digitalizing all government services, and the eagerness of the City Government of Bacoor aligns perfectly with the President’s vision to improve bureaucratic efficiency and promote ease of doing business in our nation,” ARTA Secretary Perez reiterated.
Bacoor is the eighth LGU in Southern Luzon and 28th nationwide to be awarded with an eBOSS commendation for streamlining business permit applications and renewals.
Bacoor City Mayor Strike B. Revilla expressed his gratitude for the award, above all, dedicated the feat to their fellow Bacooreños. “While the award itself is important,” Mayor Revilla said, “Hindi po importante ang award kung wala rin po tayong patuloy na serbisyo na maayos sa ating mga kababayan, kaya ayan po ang challenge namin, patuloy po kami maglingkod para makapagbigay ng maayos at mabilis na serbisyo, asahan niyo po ‘yan, Secretary Perez.”
ARTA’s commitment to “Bagong Pilipinas” prevails.
Under the leadership of Secretary Perez, the increasing number of commended LGUs in Southern Luzon was made possible by the ARTA Southern Luzon RFO, headed by Dr. Karl Joseph D. Sanmocte together with the entire team, that’s eager to deliver better public services to its people.
The collaborative effort of ARTA, DILG, DICT, and DTI in bringing the digitalization initiatives closer to the public is part of the whole-of-nation approach strategy to get rid of red tape. The recognition serves as a reminder for every participating individual of the feat and intends to drive every other LGU across the country to follow suit.
ARTA sees every awarding ceremony as an opportunity to bring eBOSS closer to the people, particularly to the transacting public. eBOSS elicits positive outcomes in varying levels of economic growth, thus the relentless encouragement and support from ARTA’s end. With schedules laid to plan, the commendation continues nationwide—further establishing the strong commitment of ARTA to improve ease of doing business for a Bagong Pilipinas.
Secretary Perez affirms, “Your dedication and innovative approach to governance serve as an inspiration to all other localities. This is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together towards a common goal—a more inclusive and successful Philippine government, a government that truly serves the people—a “Bagong Pilipinas.”
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