THIRTY-NINE villages in Bacolod City may face charges if they fail to send their representatives to the Business One-Stop-Shop at the Bacolod Government Center.
Executive Assistant Samuel Montoyo, member of Anti-Red Tape Act Core team, said Wednesday, January 10, that of the 61 villages, only 22 have sent their representative.
These are Villages Alangilan, Alijis, Banago, Bata, Cabug, Estefania, Granada, Handumanan, Mandalagan, Pahanocoy, Singcang-Airport, Sum-ag, Taculing, Vista Alegre, 25, 8, 13, 23, 32, and 40.
Montoyo said the villages have a big role because the business owners need barangay clearance for the processing of business permit.
“Those who fail to send their representatives, they still have time until January 20, or else we will file charges against the village chieftains and councilmen,” he said.
Montoyo noted that President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier issued a directive to shorten the time of processing or releasing of business permits.
“The main reason of the President is to eliminate red tape,” he said.
He said the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Information and Technology also issued a joint circular on the one-stop that includes the barangays to shorten the time of business permit processing.
On December 19, Leonardia issued Executive Order No. 37, instructing all barangays to participate in the one-stop-shop, which started on January 3 and will run until January 20, at the Bacolod Government Center.
Montoyo said Section 32 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that the City Mayor shall exercise general supervision over component barangays to ensure that the said barangays act within the scope of their power and functions.
He said all the barangays were reminded to install their offsite tables a day before the scheduled event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“If they fail to comply with the order, I will file disobedience complaint against them before the Office of the President and DILG,” Montoyo added.