SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE - In line with the National Government's priority program of streamlining business permitting system, DILG R3, in cooperation with the Local Government Academy (LGA), held an Orientation-Briefing cum Coaching on Regulatory Simplification for Local Government (RS4LG) on August 11-12, 2016 with participants coming from the LGUs of San Simon and Guagua, Pampanga and Olongapo City.

In 2013, LGA launched the RS4LG, which is an enhanced version of the BPLS Streamlining Process. It aims to review and re-design an LGU's business permitting and licensing system to further simplify the business process. This is done through four phases: diagnosis, design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.

In her opening remarks, DILG Assistant Regional Director Araceli A. San Jose recounted the pronouncement of President Duterte on easing up the process of getting permits from government offices in relation to RS4LG.

"We believe that this activity is very relevant and timely for the LGUs especially now that one of the priority programs of the administration is to streamline the application process for permits. Hopefully, the conduct of this [RS4LG], could help and equip us to take on the challenge of the President in helping our fellow Filipinos," ARD San Jose said.

Ms. Mayet Patag, consultant of LGA and resource speaker for the activity, also stressed the importance of a simplified business process as it affects an LGU's local economy and competitiveness.

"The main objective of this activity is to create and implement a system that is fast, simple, transparent and consistent with the law," Ms. Patag said.

As part of the program, the participants had a workshop where they performed a diagnosis of their current business permitting system by listing down the steps in the application from the point of view of an applicant and by reviewing its legal bases.

This was then followed by a presentation of the LGUs' proposed reformed process flow which was commented on by Ms. Patag to align it with the principles of RS4LG.

After the orientation, the LGUs are expected to conduct a diagnosis and design of their business process together with various stakeholders prior to its implementation.