Saturday, August 04, 2007 Foreign gov’t agency urges LGUs to adopt new BPLS
TO improve Cebu’s investment climate, the German government is urging local government units (LGUs) to adopt a decentralized system for business licensing.
The Business Process Licensing System (BPLS) developed by the Department of Trade and Industry with assistance from the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) is designed to ensure accountability and transparency in private and public institutions.
“This is what we hope to achieve, when a streamlined BPLS is in place.
Businesses will know exactly what to expect in terms of cost and time when applying for a permit,” said Dr. Herwig Mayer, GTZ decentralization program manager.
He said the BPLS will improve the country’s competitiveness.
The BPLS developed by the DTI and GTZ cuts bureaucracy and expedite business licensing and permit renewals.
Priority
Mayer said one of GTZ’s priority developments for Cebu is the BPLS, which is targeted for implementation before the end of the year.
He said GTZ will seek the support of the Provincial Government in the implementation of the BPLS.
Mayer also gave a presentation about the GTZ decentralization program during the BPLS validation workshop last July 27 in Cebu City.
He said the decentralization program’s goal is to optimize the use of scare resources and the promotion of effective and efficient delivery of services.
It entails linking individuals with development organizations and partner agencies like the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government, and LGUs in Visayas and Mindanao.
“We are still in the start-up phase. We need some time to establish connections in Visayas and Mindanao. We work with partners when there is a felt need,” Mayer said.
Decentralization
GTZ’s decentralization program, which began in October 2005, will run for ten years.
According to a GTZ document furnished to Sun.Star Cebu, the decentralization program has three components: political, fiscal, and institutional.
Political decentralization focuses on improving government procedures and cooperation among elected officials, civil servants and local citizens. Its guiding principles are accountability, transparency, responsibility and participation.
The provinces of Antique and Southern Leyte as well as Metro Iloilo are pilot areas for the program’s implementation.
Fiscal decentralization combines efficient and effective use of LGUs’ financial resources. It involves reducing the LGU’s dependency on the central government and improving local fiscal systems.
The program component is implemented in Oriental Negros.
“We are keen on seeing BPLS results in the mutually reinforcing elements of political, fiscal, and institutional or administrative decentralization,” Mayer concluded. (MMM)
