Trade office set to officially launch business registry

THE Trade department is set to launch next month the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) that would substantially reduce the need for registrants to physically go to the concerned office to register their business.

Herminia Cuevas, National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (Nerbac)-9 manager, said the PBR is a web-based system envisioned to facilitate a seamless transactional environment for business registration and facilitation that can be accessed by anyone anytime, anywhere there is Internet connection.

Cuevas said the registration can be done just by logging on to the PBR portal at www.business.gov.ph, filling up the electronic forms provided, paying online via Globe's GCash facility and printing the business name certificate in the convenience of his own home or in an internet café any time of the day.

Since the PBR is connected to the database of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Cuevas said the system will also automatically generate the Tax Identification Number (TIN) for those who still don't have the TIN or "validate the same for those who already have for your business."

"There's no need to go to the BIR office just to get your TIN," Cuevas said. "Further, at your option, the system will also generate your employer number for Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Home Mutual Development Fund (HMDF) or Pag-IBIG since these agencies too are connected to the PBR."

She said it is just a matter of time before the mayor's permit can also be processed online via the same PBR facility.

The PBR is one of the reform measures being assiduously pursued by the National Government under the auspices of the DTI to promote transparency, streamline transaction processes, promote business growth, and improve the overall competitiveness of the country.