Lapu improves biz processing

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE concerted efforts by City Government employees, tax mapping, information campaigns and improved systems and facilities have helped Lapu-Lapu City meet and, at times, exceed its revenue targets.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said that ever since the administration of her husband, Rep. Arturo Radaza, the improvement of the business permit and licensing system (BPLS) has been regarded as one of the priority areas to improve the business climate in the city and make it more attractive to local and foreign investors.

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She said the establishment of the city’s Business One-Stop Shop Operation in 2001 helped them better facilitate the entry of entrepreneurs in the city.

“We are very serious in addressing the needs of the entrepreneurs here, knowing that they are the ones bringing revenues to the city,” Radaza told Sun.Star Cebu.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) worked together in improving the BPLS system. The Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) on BPLS started implementing the project last October and Lapu-Lapu City was designated one of the pilot LGUs for its BPLS reforms.

Cutting procedures

Lapu-Lapu City Treasurer Elenita Catagcatag said that among the measures they adopted was the reduction of procedures from the previous six steps to just four.

The reduced processing now speeds up assessment of business tax and other fees, payment and the releasing of documents.

Catagcatag said they also employed tax mapping measures where teams are sent out to inspect establishments around the city. Each team has a quota of 14 business establishments to inspect up to the barangay level.

She said that aside from tax mapping, the city is also aggressive in doing its tax information campaign, particularly in the barangays.

Lapu-Lapu City, which used to have 6,154 establishments in 2009, listed about 7,286 establishments of varying sizes in 2010.

Catagcatag said the city was able to collect about P233.2 million in business taxes in 2010. The city collected P912.6 million in total revenues, exceeding its target of P800 million. The figure was also higher than 2009’s collection, which amounted to P843.4 million.

This year, Radaza said the city is hoping to collect P1 billion.

Radaza said they have improved City Hall’s facilities to make it more convenient for entrepreneurs to transact businesses.

“We have improved the waiting lounge. We have provided a television and we serve coffee so they won’t get bored while waiting for their turn,” she said.

As for the forms needed, Radaza said they have incorporated the application forms in their website so that interested investors can easily access and download these.

Unified form

Lapu-Lapu City is the first LGU this year to have adopted the unified form in processing new applications for business permits and business renewals. The unified form consolidates all the information about a business registrant needed by various local and national agencies.

The adoption of the unified form is expected to contribute to the reduction of steps and time in applying for business permits.

“For now we are waiting for feedback from the entrepreneurs regarding this unified form. But we are open to suggestions and innovation,” Radaza said.

Aside from improving the system, Radaza also pointed out the concerted efforts of the employees in assisting their clients. Catagcatag said that they seek help from other divisions to help facilitate transactions, especially during peak periods.

Despite these measures, Radaza said there are still areas that need work and that City Hall is continuing to find ways to improve processes.