Malabon gov’t cited for streamlining business permit, licensing services

The Malabon City government was recognized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) on Wednesday, Oct. 18, for providing quality services to the public by streamlining and simplifying business permitting and licensing procedures for different businesses operating in the city.

Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval received the certificate of commendation from ARTA Director General Secretart Erest Perez at the Malabon Amphitheater on Wednesday. It is the first ARTA commendation the city government received for its efficient business services.

The award was given to the local government for fully setting up an electronic Business One Stop Shop (e-BOSS) in compliance with the ARTA, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department of Information and Communications Technology (ARTA-DTI-DILG-DICT) Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2021 (Guidelines for Processing Business Permits, Related Clearances and Licenses in All Cities and Municipalities) and the Republic Act No. 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018).

Both the joint memorandum circular and the republic act aim to promote efficiency in local governments’ business registration procedures and delivery of other services.

The city government said that the e-BOSS is a fully automated permit application where business owners can make bills payment, business permit and licensing processes, and other transactions online.

It added that through the e-BOSS, residents and business owners may get local government services faster and more efficient.

The awarding ceremony was held during the opening of the Malabon Trade Fair that started the Malabon Business Week.

Sandoval said that the event, themed “Maunlad na Ekonomiya, Kaagapay ang Kooperatiba, Pangkabuhayan at Turismo, Lalong Sisigla,” shows the city’s goal to improve the situation of business, the residents, tourism and other sectors in the city.

Different activities such us the trade fair that features different local products, job fair, and seminars will be conducted by the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (CTACAO), City Cooperative Development Office, and Public Employment and Service Office (PESO) for the Malabon Business Week.

“Nais kong bigyang-diin ang kahalagahan ng isang malusog na kalakaran ng negosyo sa ating lungsod. Ang mga negosyo ay hindi lamang mga establisyimento, tindahan o opisina; ito ay nagbibigay-kabuhayan at kinabukasan sa marami sa ating komunidad (I want to emphasize the importance of a healthy business trend in our city. Businesses are not just establishments, shops or offices; it provides livelihood and future to many in our community),” the mayor said.

“Ang isang malakas at maunlad na ekonomiya ay nagbibigay-daan para sa mas maraming trabaho, mas mataas na kita, at higit pang mga oportunidad para sa ating mga mamamayan. Ito ay nagbibigay sa ating pamahalaang lungsod ng kita upang makapag hatid ng mga serbisyong pangkalusugan, edukasyon, at iba’t-ibang benepisyo para sa bawat isa (A strong and prosperous economy allows for more jobs, higher incomes, and more opportunities for our citizens. This provides our city government with income to deliver health services, education, and various benefits for everyone),” she added.