ARTA lauds QC, Manila, Valenzuela over eBOSS

Three local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila have been commended by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) for streamlining their business permits and licensing systems and implementing the electronic Business One-Stop Shop or eBOSS.

In a statement over the weekend, ARTA lauded the LGUs of Quezon City, Manila and Valenzuela for implementing the eBOSS.

“As a mandatory requirement under the Ease of Doing Business Law, a fully established and automated eBOSS must feature a unified application form, online uploading of required documents, issuance of electronic tax bills or order of payment, issuance of a valid electronic permit with the same level of authority as the hard copy, an integrated online payment and a link connecting to a physical courier to deliver permits,” ARTA said.

It said this checklist is provided by the Guidelines for Processing Business Permits, Related Clearances and Licenses in cities and municipalities – a joint issuance by the ARTA, Departments of the Interior and Local Government, Information and Communications Technology as well as Trade and Industry in 2021.

ARTA said the recognition given to the three LGUs was in line with President Marcos’ directive to digitalize government services and hasten bureaucratic efficiency.

“All of the cities that implement the Joint Memorandum Circular for eBOSS have one common denominator: their number of business registrations and revenue collections have increased,” ARTA secretary Ernesto Perez said.

Based on Quezon City’s 2022 Business Registration and Revenue report, the city posted an increase of P984.3 million in tax collection compared to 2021.

Valenzuela City also recorded an increase of almost P30 million in business tax revenue for the same two-year comparison. The city of Manila’s business tax revenue grew by P106.4 million in 2022.

“What ARTA is doing now is we will consolidate the reports of Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela and all those LGUs that are compliant with the Ease of Doing Business Law. We will submit a report to the President, including data on the increase of the number of business registrations and revenue collections,” Perez said.