TACLOBAN CITY — In an effort to improve public service delivery and attract more investments, the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO) of Northern Samar conducted a seminar on the “Ease of Doing Business” for local government officials involved in business regulation and economic promotion.
The activity gathered Business Permit and Licensing Officers (BPLOs) and Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Officers (LEDIPOs) from various local government units across the province. It aimed to equip participants with practical tools and strategies to streamline business permit and licensing processes and foster a more business-friendly environment.
One of the resource speakers was lawyer August Lizer Malate, executive vice president of the National Association of Business Permit and Licensing Officers of the Philippines (NABPLO) and department head of the Business Permit and Licensing Office of Mandaue City, Cebu.
He shared the city’s best practices, including the simplification of permit procedures, the institutionalization of the BPLO as a full-fledged department, the digitalization of application processes, and the adoption of innovative policies to improve efficiency and transparency.
Malate also discussed the requirements and step-by-step process for digitalizing BPLO systems, along with updates on business permit requirements and processing guidelines. He stressed the need for reliable and measurable data systems, noting that accurate data plays a crucial role in crafting effective development plans and evidence-based policies.
The seminar ended with an open forum where participants raised concerns and sought clarification on issues related to business permitting and licensing, which were addressed by the resource speaker.
PEDIPO said the activity underscores the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening local economies by continuously improving policies, systems, and services that support entrepreneurship and investment. These initiatives are seen as vital in promoting economic growth, enhancing competitiveness, generating employment, and advancing inclusive development in Northern Samar.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
