Sunday, July 06, 2008 City to offer non-stop work on permits
MANDAUE City is coming up with its own version of a one-stop shop to hasten business permit applications.
In explaining how the system works, Mayor Jonas Cortes said applications will be processed immediately, but requirements have to be submitted within 45 days from application date.
Once application forms are submitted, City Hall employees will process the case “non-stop” and taxpayers “can bring home their business permit on the same day (the application was filed).”
City Administrator Briccio Boholst, however, admitted they are still fine-tuning the system.
“We don’t want the likes of a mega-shabu laboratory to be issued a business permit,” Boholst said, referring to the shabu laboratory that authorities raided nearly four years ago in Barangay Umapad.
This is why, he said, all requirements should be complied with within 45 days.
Cortes admitted the urgent need to shorten “business processing time” at City Hall, narrating a case where processing of a permit was so delayed that the permit was issued after it had expired.
Boholst explained that each department will have to indicate the time spent in processing the document in their office. This way, it will be easy to identify where the delay occurred.
Applying for business permits online will also be introduced soon. “We are now in the process of computerizing our business permit applications,” said Cortes.
At present, the City is building a waiting lounge on the City Hall’s ground floor for business owners or their representatives.
Shortening the business permit application process was decided upon after Cortes’ State of the City Address last Friday, where he cited as one of his administration’s accomplishments the fact that business owners’ trust in the local government has been regained.
Boholst said the City hopes to realize the one-stop-shop project before next month’s Business Month celebration in Mandaue City. (OCP)
