SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, April 22 (PIA) —The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) recognized the municipal government of Bacnotan in La Union for fully complying with the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) system.
 
The recognition was given at the International Convention Center, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-North La Union Campus on April 22.
 
The municipality is the second local government unit in the Ilocos region, next to the City of San Fernando in La Union, to pass ARTA’s assessment of fully streamlined and digitalized processes of application to issuance of business permits.

This means that its eBOSS meets the required features, which include the use of a unified application form, the issuance of electronic tax bills or orders of payment, online uploading of required documents, the issuance of a valid electronic permit with the same level of authority as the hard copy, integrated online payment, and a link connecting to a physical courier to deliver permits.
 
The end-to-end process of business permit application and issuance takes an average of 59 minutes.
 
In his message, ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez underscored the role of eBOSS in helping entrepreneurs process government requirements more easily and more efficiently. 
 
“We frequently receive complaints on red tape and corruption issues especially in local government units and one of the solutions is the birth of eBOSS which was practiced by Bacnotan town,” said Perez.

Moreover, Perez said the ARTA will work hand-in-hand with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) to maintain the gains that have been achieved through the system.
 
Perez also reiterated the agency’s initiative on making the country and the province a top pick for investors by prioritizing the promotion of Economic and Ease of Doing Business (EODB) through information and education campaigns to achieve a promising business environment.
 
In her acceptance message, Bacnotan Mayor Divina Fontanilla assured that the local government will continue to innovate to provide a more efficient and convenient transacting experience to their constituents.
 
“We pledge to remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an environment where businesses can flourish, jobs can be created, and all can share prosperity,” said Fontanilla. (JCR/MJTAB/KJCR, PIA La Union)