MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said it is ready to file the necessary cases against local government units (LGUs) who will fail to comply with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte in relation to ease of doing business in the country.
“If an LGU will not be able to comply, we have to file the necessary cases and even recommend their suspension,”
DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said at the sidelines of the launching of the Project Express Lane Operation at the Parañaque City Hall.
Malaya said some 10 percent of LGUs in the country still do not have a Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) system, which seeks to make the application and processing of business permits and other requirements easier.
“Madami [pa ring naiiwang lugar], as a matter of fact yung Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) ng Manila, was the first time they had it. Marami pa ring naiiwan,” Malaya added.
Malaya was referring to the opening of the BOSS in Manila last July.
READ: Manila LGU launches one-stop shop for business permits, licenses
“Based on our records, more than 90 percent have been compliant but not all, not all the features. 90 percent have BOSS system but some 10 percent don’t have the BOSS system So kami sa DILG we are constantly monitoring and encouraging them to have the BOSS,” Malaya said.
Of the 90 percent that already has BOSS, Malaya said many of their features are not upgraded.
“We are challenging all of the mayors, all of the LGUs na yung BOSS nila i-upgrade din nila. Dahil mayroon lang silang BOSS pero wala yung mga features na nandito sa Parañaque,” Malaya said.
Among the features of the Parañaque City government’s Project Express Lane Operation are zero-contact by utilizing technology, and the barangay integration which allows applicants to simply go to the city hall to apply and pay without the need to go to the barangay itself, among others.
“Maliwanag na po yung naging panawagan ng pangulo, it’s a directive na frustrated na siya sa tagal ng pagpo-proseso—yung pabalik-balik. Nandyan na po yung ARTA (Anti-Red Tape Authority), when the President gave us that directive, the [Interior] Secretary directed us not only to monitor the road clearing operations, but also the ease of doing business in every LGU, the anti-smoking, tsaka yung liquor ban,” Malaya said.
The undersecretary also urged the public to file a complaint against non-compliant LGUs, but asked them to provide evidence to support their complaints.
“Dun naman sa nagrereklamo about the lack of a BOSS in their area, let us know in the DILG so we can call the attention of your local government unit,” Malaya said. /muf
READ: Gov’t units step up antired tape efforts