THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called the attention of all mayors and vice mayors to follow Republic Act (RA) 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business Law, in issuing business permits.

The DILG reminded the mayors and vice mayors of their role in issuing business permits, especially to would-be investors with business names already approved by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), after receiving complaints of delayed issuance of business permit or non-issuance at all.

DILG 7 Assistant Director Maria Loisella Lucino said they encourage local officials to comment on the draft implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 11032.

Earlier, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Chairman Dante Jimenez said that because DILG filed criminal charges against mayors who did not cooperate in environmental protection, they should also file a case against mayors who will not follow the Ease of Doing Business Law.

The business permit on simple transaction must be issued in three days, while complex transactions requiring Sangguniang Panlungsod resolutions must be released in seven days.

DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte said some of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) still have a hard time getting a mayor’s permit.

“Some mayors still insist that the forms will be exclusively distributed by them. They control the forms for mayor’s permit. Some mayors are not giving the forms to applicants who are not friends with them or are supporters of their political opponents. So, some MSMEs operate without a mayor’s permit,” Caberte noted. (EOB)