More LGUs targeted for eBOSS compliance

MANILA, Philippines —  The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) aims to have an additional 200 local government units (LGUs) fully automate the processing of business permits this year.

During the SGV Tax Symposium last week, ARTA deputy director general Gerald Divinagracia told reporters the goal is to have 200 more LGUs fully compliant with the electronic business one-stop shop (eBOSS) requirement this year.

While the ARTA aimed to have 200 LGUs to fully automate the processing of business permits last year, he said only 112 LGUs were fully compliant with the eBOSS requirement by the end of 2024 due to the agency’s limited resources.

He said there are also challenges in terms of the integration of the Bureau of Fire Protection’s system into the eBOSS.

“With the help of the secretary of DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), we’re putting it in one streamlined process,” he said.

He said ARTA is also working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology in assisting the LGUs in the eBOSS requirement.

All LGUs are mandated to set up an eBOSS under Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.

An eBOSS is a single online portal for business registration including submission of applications, online payment and electronic issuance of pertinent documents.

The ARTA is responsible for validating the LGUs’ compliance with the eBOSS requirement.

For this year, Divinagracia said the goal is for the National Capital Region (NCR) to be fully compliant with  the eBOSS requirement.

“That’s really the target within the next two quarters,” he said.

He said there are only three remaining LGUs in the NCR that have not complied with the requirement – the cities of Makati, Pasig and Navotas.

Aside from the NCR, he said the ARTA is also looking at having LGUs in Cebu and in Mindanao to fully automate the processing of their business permits.