The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has launched the Electronic Business Permits and Licensing System (e-BPLS), a cloud-based software that will allow taxpayers to file an application for new and renewal of business permits online.

Other features of the system that will help citizens on ease of access to information include retirement of businesses and business lines; computerized assessment of fees, taxes and charges; online printing of Tax Order of Payment, Business Permit; and endorsement module for the Office of the Building Official and other LGU concerned offices.

At the e-BPLS Summit, DICT Secretary Salalima said that part of President Rodrigo Duterte's 10-point socioeconomic agenda is to increase competitiveness and the ease of doing business by moving towards automation.

He also said that, "Taking action on the call of the President to reduce the requirements and processing time of all government transactions, the DICT has developed a cloud-based e-BPLS software that allows the taxpayers to file their application for new and renewal of business permits online, enabling the LGUs to process these applications electronically."

Salalima said that this process which shortens the time and at the same providing up to date information will set a standard business process flow for the online processing of business permits as citizens can just log on to the LGU’s website and access the e-BPLS to submit their applications online and the scanned copies of documentary requirements.

“LGUs are directed to process business registrations within two days for new business permit applications and one day for business permit renewals, requiring two signatories, namely the Mayor (or designated representative) and the treasurer as recommending approval. With the aid of the e-BPLS software, compliance to the new service standards only takes about 30 minutes,” Salalima added.