Get private sector’s help in automating permits, government advised

Government needs to automate the issuance of permits and licenses and make it more accessible to the public online, to improve the country’s competitiveness and ease of doing business, said an official of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC).

Guillermo Luz, NCC private sector cochair, again made the suggestion in his presentation during the 43rd Philippine Business Conference and Expo at the Manila Hotel last week, where he also said that government may tap the expertise of developers through hackathons or private IT companies.

“The goal is to file online, anytime, anywhere. Pay online. (Have) licenses or permits issued electronically, where possible, a la airline tickets,” Luz said.

“Benefits to government (in tapping private developers) are faster, lower development cost, lower hardware cost, (and) quicker turnarounds for upgrades,” said Luz in his presentation. He suggested that the private sector develop and own the technology and be paid “per transaction.”

Among the “priority” permits that the NCC wants to bring online are business and mayor’s permits, the incorporation process with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), construction permits, occupancy permits, fire safety inspection certificates, import/export trade-related processes, and the national quality infrastructure for standards and certifications.

“Our goal is to take the country from this image of everyone lining up at counters to more of a concierge system where one window can serve all… Eventually, we want to move online, not only on computers, but to move as many as possible to mobile phones,” he said.

Based on the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index 20172018, the Philippines ranked 56th out of 137 economies examined, from 57th in the 2016 report.

However, it lagged behind its nine neighbors in Southeast Asia where it ranked seventh, ranking below Brunei and Vietnam. Lastly, Luz urged the various business chambers in the country to help encourage their local government units to automate.