The city government has also established help desks to assist users in navigating the system. Their clients, he added, can utilize these services until January 31. (HJPF - PIA SarGen)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) – Local businesses have lauded the full implementation of the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) by the city government’s Business Processing and Licensing Division (BPLD).
The digital platform has streamlined operations, making it more convenient for business owners to comply with regulatory requirements for their renewal of business.
Janet Vinculado, a senior bookkeeper renewing permits at Robinsons Place Gensan, shared her positive experience with the city’s eBOSS and face-to-face payment system.
Despite choosing to pay on-site, Vinculado highlighted the convenience brought by the online platform, saying it has made processing faster and hassle-free for clients.
“Sa online, mas madali ngayon. Hindi na kailangang pumila para kunin ang billing, direkta na sa email,” she said.
(With the Internet, it’s easier now. You don’t have to stand in line to receive the billing; it arrives directly in your email.)
Vinculado, who prefers paying in person, also praised the comfortable environment at the payment center.
“Mas presko dito, malamig at mabilis ang proseso (It’s comfortable here and processing is fast), she added.
She encouraged other business owners to renew their permits promptly, emphasizing the ease of the updated system.
“Renew na kayo. Madali lang naman basta naka-online (Renew now, it’s quick because it’s online),” she urged, thanking the local government for improving the renewal process.
eBOSS connects all relevant offices online, eliminating the need for manual processing. Now fully digitalized, the city government has urged all business owners to conduct their transactions online.
According to BPLD DChief Christian Abarquez, the office has successfully renewed 3,714 business permits since January 2 of this year.
“We think this innovation is very helpful because there’s no reason now for them not to register their businesses. They can apply from their homes, so there’s really no excuse not to register,” he said, expressing confidence that the number of business renewals would still increase by the end of January.
Abarquez advised business owners to maximize the benefits of eBOSS and register early to avoid penalties such as a 25 percent surcharge and a two percent monthly interest.
He also encouraged accurate gross sales declarations to streamline the process and contribute to public service improvements.
“Hopefully, i-declare nila kung unsa ang tama na ilang gross sales kay sometimes mao na ang nagapalangay sa ilahang renewal, ang declaration sa gross sales nila. Kay panagsa para maka-evade sa taxes gamay lang ang ideclare nila, so para dili kayo na mahitabo na magbalik balik ang ilang application, i-declare nila ang tama kay para katong ibayad nila nga mga business taxes, ma-transform pa to sa public service. So hinaot na magbayad sila’g tama aron maka-receive pa gyud sila’g mas nindot pa gyud nga mga programa na maka-benepisyo sila,” Abarquez pointed out.
(Hopefully, business owners in the city will declare their correct gross sales to avoid delays in renewals. Sometimes, businesses may understate their gross sales to avoid paying taxes. They should know that their payment of taxes will go to relevant public services, allowing them to receive better programs and projects that will benefit them.)
Abarquez also highlighted General Santos City’s competitive advantage over other cities, citing eBOSS as the reason Gensan was awarded ARTA’s Seal of Excellence.
“Gensan is part of the first three cities compliant with ARTA, along with Davao City and Cagayan. Gensan has become a benchmark location where other municipalities and cities, such as Zamboanga City and smaller towns in Region 12, learn best practices,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abarquez revealed that designated counters at Robinsons Place Gensan still accept payments, particularly now that the City Hall and Investment Center are undergoing renovations.
Also, the city government has established help desks to assist users in navigating the system. Their clients, he added, can use these services until January 31. (HJPF – PIA SarGen)
The city government has also established help desks to assist users in navigating the system. Their clients, he added, can utilize these services until January 31. (HJPF – PIA SarGen)
