Anti-red tape bill nears House approval

MANILA, Philippines — The measure seeking to significantly cut red tape in getting government clearances and permits is being eyed for approval by the House plenary when Congress resumes session on Nov. 13, a senior administration lawmaker said. 

Iloilo Rep. Ferjenel Biron said the bill, which remains unnumbered even if it has already been approved by the House of Representatives’ committee on trade and industry that he heads, will be taken up by the 293-member chamber next month.  

The committee has approved a substitute bill on the measure that President Duterte is also pushing — “An Act Establishing a National Policy on Ease of Doing Business, Creating for the Purpose the Ease of Doing Business Commission.” 

The bill is a consolidation of seven measures, led by Biron and Reps. Vilma Santos-Recto of Batangas, Winston Castelo of Quezon City, LRay Villafuerte of Camarines Sur and Gus Tambunting of Parañaque. 

The pro-administration measure aims to create a business environment that will be conducive and attractive to local and foreign investors, and which hopefully will help lessen the documentation procedures and processing of business permits. 

 The substitute bill prescribes a maximum processing time of one working day at the barangay level, three working days for simple applications and 10 working days – to be reckoned from the time documents are received – for complex applications.

 The piece of legislation will also provide for the automatic approval and release of business permits upon the lapse of 30 days of inaction, provided that all necessary documents have been submitted.  

The measure also proposes the establishment of a one-stop business facilitation service, or a Business One Stop Shop. BOSS enables city and municipal governments to receive and process manual or electronic submission of license, clearance or permit applications.