The Department of Trade and Industry in Davao Region presented the Department of the Interior and Local Government-DTI-Department of Information and Communications Technology Joint Memorandum Circular, No. 1, s. 2016 in a bid to enhance the Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) of all local government units (LGUs) in the region.

The seminar, entitled, “Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) and Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Caravan: Davao Oriental,” was attended by 46 participants consisting of representatives of the local chief executives (LCEs), Business Permit and Licensing Officers (BPLOs), City/Municipality Treasurer Officers (C/MTOs), Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officers (LEIPOs) from the LGUs, and national government agencies (NGAs) at the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites, Davao City on February 21.

The BPLS is a process that businessmen have to undergo to secure Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit which would allow them to operate legally in a locality. It is worth noting that in Davao Region, all LGUS are already adopting the BPLS standards since its emancipation in 2010. This means that they are already adopting the mechanism in which business processes are streamlined for a more responsive and conducive investment climate. BPLS is seen to encourage influx of investment as it makes the processes shorter.

DTI-Davao Region chief for Industry Development Services Division, Marie Anne J. How, discussed in details, the provision of the Joint Memorandum Circular 2016. Topics on the local competitiveness framework, as well as results of 2016 competitiveness rankings of CMCI were also discussed.

“With the revised standards, the applicant will only have to undergo three steps. These are, file, pay, and claim,” How said.

This is the first leg of the caravan. The succeeding schedules are as follows: March 2 in Digos City, March 3 in Tagum City, March 7 in Malita, March 9 in Davao City, and March 14 in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province.

Meanwhile, DTI-Davao Oriental Provincial Director Jose L. Calub said BPLS is among the strategies used to increase the competitiveness of the region. Davao City placed fifth in the Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City category.

“To achieve a competitive local government unit, we must improve and sustain our collaborative effort with each other to improve our Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency and Infrastructure,” Calub said.