The government’s Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) will help the Iloilo City Government with its full and continued implementation of the integrated Business Process Licensing System (iBPLS) and related programs to “ensure ease of doing business” in the metropolis.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and ARTA Director-General Secretary Ernesto V. Perez signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the project as one of the highlights of the opening of the ARTA’s first regional field office in the Visayas on the 3rd floor of the National Food Authority building in Jaro District on Monday, April 17.

“The Iloilo City government is determined to build back better and resilient economy by creating more opportunities for investments and entrepreneurship. By ensuring the ease of doing business in Iloilo City, we streamlined processing and renewals for efficiency and to encourage more people to do business,” Treñas said in his message during the program.

He added that a business one-stop-shop (BOSS) would be established in the government center to be built in the area of the Customs House.

Currently, paying taxes has been made easier with four off-site payment centers available in selected malls in the city.

“We have shared a commitment to exhaust all possible ways for businesses to recuperate and for us to cope with the work set up in a normal situation through the Ease of Doing Business,” he said.

Treñas added that he is certain that the red tape in the region would be gone and services would become more accessible with the opening of the ARTA regional field office.

Meanwhile, PhilTower, a prospective investor that will help speed up connectivity, was introduced by ARTA to the city government.

“The best way to fight red tape and corruption is to streamline and digitalize the processes. Following the directive of the President for a unified single online window, the first step is to strengthen, fast-track, and speed up the Internet connection,” Perez said in a separate interview.

The newly opened regional office, meanwhile, will function like a little ARTA that would enable government agencies to comply with the ease of doing business, notably the setting up and operationalization of an electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS).Perla Lena/PNA