Bontoc biz permit flow goes electronic

By Alpine Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Entrepreneurs here can look forward to faster and easier business permits and licensing applications with the launch of the electronic Business Permits and Licensing System (eBPLS) July 1 at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol. 
    Bontoc is the first municipality in Mountain Province, and the fifth in the Cordillera Administrative Region to adopt the eBPLS to promote  competitive business environment. 
    The eBPLS is a cloud-based software developed by the Dept. of Information and Communications Technology that allows end-users to file applications for new and renewal of business permits online.
    This is in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to reduce requirements and processing time of government transactions through Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Law or RA 11032.
    The automation is a joint undertaking of the DICT along with the Departments of Interior and Local Government and Trade and Industry. Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey in his message expressed gratitude to the DICT, DILG, and DTI for their assistance to the undertaking of the municipality.  
    He added the eBPLS is a welcome development for the municipality, which expects increased revenue generation with the automation of its business license.
    “With the increase in revenue, more projects can be implemented for the benefit of the community,” he said.
    DICT Luzon Cluster 1 regional director Nestor Bongato in his message via zoom lauded the Bontoc LGU under the leadership of Odsey for initiating implementation of the eBPLS.
    He said the eBPLS will become a useful tool to support LGUs’ effective management of information in terms of speedy knowledge processing to achieve organizational objectives.
    “This will greatly contribute to the improvement of the performance and competitiveness of the LGUs in the business permit and licensing process,” he said.
    He pledged support of DICT to LGUs and remote communities to intensify e-governance programs. 
    Municipal local government operations officer Lourdes Claire Peel of the DILG joined other government agencies in congratulating Bontoc for being the first in Mountain Province to adapt the eBPLS.
    She added Bontoc, as a Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awardee for three consecutive years, is expected to raise excellence in governance. She added the launching of the eBPLS can further streamline Bontoc LGU’s business permits and licensing applications and provide faster service to clients especially that Bontoc is the capital town and business hub of the province.
    She expressed hope other municipalities will implement the eBPLS. 
    Heads of all partner agencies were present at the event and online via zoom to give their congratulatory message.
    They also highlighted importance and impact of eBPLS in the economic growth and development of the LGUS.
    They gave recommendations on how to sustain the system. 
    Business Permit and Licensing officer Karen Lumiwes expressed gratitude to the partner agencies for realization of the project. 
    Also present during the eBPLS launching were Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen, Sangguniang Bayan members Alsannyster Patingan and Viola Okko, and key players in the eBPLS which include the BPLO, Office of the Municipal Health Officer, Officer of the Municipal Treasurer, Office of the Municipal Engineer, Office of the Municipal Planning and Development officer, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bontoc Municipal Police Station.