CEBU CITY, CEBU (PIA) –- The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), in partnership with the Aboitiz Group, has turned over ten sets of electronic Business One Stop Shop or eBOSS package to the Lapu-lapu City government on June 21.
Each package consists of a laptop, printer, and scanner to be distributed to selected barangays in Lapu-lapu City, as well as the mini City Hall in Olango Island.
ARTA has earlier awarded Lapu-lapu City in May 2023 a ‘Certificate of Commendation’ for implementing a fully streamlined and digitalized eBOSS, the first local government unit (LGU) outside Metro Manila to do so.
The turnover of the eBOSS package took place during the Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting conducted by the ARTA Eastern Visayas Regional Field Office.
ARTA director general, Sec. Ernesto V. Perez, underscored during the town hall meeting that the turnover was made possible through a public-private partnership (PPP) with Aboitiz Group.
“We are witnessing not just a matter of paperwork, not just a matter of signing of agreements, not just for a call to action, but a real service in action. This morning we are witnessing a public-private partnership towards a Bagong Pilipinas, towards a change that each and every one of us dreams of,” Perez said.
Lapu-lapu City Mayor Junard Chan also expressed his appreciation after receiving the eBOSS package.
“This grant of electronic one stop shop package is a fitting recognition of our efforts in streamlining our business processes at city hall, driven by our conscious efforts to comply with the Ease of Doing Business as outlined in Republic Act 11032,” Chan said.
He also vowed to continue improving their city government’s efficiency by streamlining their public services.
“We commit to continuously innovate ways to make the delivery of our services efficient and compliant to RA 11032 to exemplify my commitment as mayor of City of Lapu-lapu,” said Chan.
He added that the city government has also integrated an online business permit application for clients who are unable to personally apply for the permit.
“This initiative has resulted in a monumental increase in the City Revenue collection, likewise to fast-track payment of real property tax as well as payment for corporate or individual community tax certificate,” said Chan.
Lapu-lapu City also partnered with mobile wallet platforms GCash, Maya, and LandBank as the new payment portals.
As a mandatory compliance for all LGUs under Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Law, the eBOSS ensures that the transacting public can file their business permit applications and renewals on a single, digital online platform.
Faster transactions
Maribago barangay chair Rosalino Abing, one of the recipients of the eBOSS package, said the eBOSS has contributed to their barangay’s efficiency in responding to the needs of local business establishments.
“Dako kaayo ni nga opportunity sa amoang barangay since ang Maribago is a tourism hub, naa gyud diha ang dagkong mga hotel. Unya kasagaran sa mga hotel gusto nila na mapadali, nya pasalamat mi, pinaagi ani nga online, dali ra ang ilang mga kinahanglanon,” Abing said.
(This is a big opportunity for our barangay since Maribago is a tourism hub where big hotels are located. Usually, the hotels, they want fast transactions. We are glad that through this online system, we can meet their needs.)
He said that processing paperwork used to take several days before the eBOSS was implemented in their barangay.
“Kaniadto, it will take pila pa ka adlaw, labi na og moadto na sa syudad but karon pagsugod na sa one stop shop labi na ning masugdan na ning online mas mo-grabe pa gyud kadali ang pag-proseso,” he added.
(Before, it would take a few more days, especially if one needed to go to the city. But now that the one-stop-shop is here, it can be started online, and the process will be much easier.)
Another beneficiary, Pajac barangay chair Bonifacio Ompad Jr., said the eBOSS has been helpful in facilitating business permit applications at the barangay level.
“Para nako dako kaayo ni’g ikatabang kay ang atoang mga business permit online, nindot kaayo ka’y haduol na. Og dili sila makalugar og adto sa syudad, sa City Hall, they can go to barangays. Mas komportable sila, mas mapasayon. They can also process through online,” said Ompad.
(I think it will help a lot because our business permits are now done online. It’s good because it’s convenient. And if they can’t go to the city or to the City Hall, they can go to the barangay. They can also process it online.) (JJT/PIA 7)
