THE country is boosting its digital infrastructure in e-governance and e-services to improve its global ranking in the ease of doing business.
With many businesses pivoting to digital, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it is committed to strengthen its e-governance and e-services initiatives that cater to the local business sector to further improve ease of doing business (EODB) in the Philippines as the conduct of the EODB Survey for 2021 by the World Bank draws near.
“The DICT, in partnership with other key agencies, continues to do its best to develop and implement programs and initiatives towards achieving true ease of doing business in the country and to provide better e-services to the Filipino people,” DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan III said in a press release.
In a recent statement, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) said it is optimistic about a much-improved score for the EODB Survey this 2021 with the implementation of various reforms aimed at streamlining and speeding up government processes.
In the Doing Business 2020 report by the World Bank, the Philippines climbed to the 95th spot with 62.8 points from its 124th spot with 57.68 points in 2019. The 2021 report by the World Bank is expected to be released in the coming months.
In 2020, the DICT said it started developing and piloted the Central Business Portal (CBP) which streamlines business registration processes in the country.
“The first phase of the CBP was formally launched in January this year and covers registration of one person corporations, corporations with two to four incorporators, and regular corporations whose incorporators are juridical entities and/or the capital structure is not covered by the 25 percent-25 percent rule,” DICT said.
Current features of the CBP allow business applicants to access the portal to apply for certificate of registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Bureau of Internal Revenue, as well as for secondary licenses under the Food and Drug Administration’s license to operate for pharmaceutical companies.
Social Security System, Pag-Ibig and PhilHealth employer numbers for registrants are also generated in the system.
Likewise, the DICT reported it continued the development of the CBP, which is being done in phases. Phase 1 is dedicated to the process for starting a business. Phase 2 will focus on renewal, amendment and changes. And lastly, Phase 3 will cover other business-related transactions and the possible improvements to the mobility of the CBP through the development of a web or mobile application.
In addition, the DICT said it also continues to implement the Electronic Business Permits and Licensing System and Integrated Business Permits and Licensing System which streamline the processing and issuance of various permits, certificates and licenses in cities and municipalities. (JOB)