EFFICIENCY is not only beneficial but essential for survival and growth. With this in mind, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has set an ambitious target: fully automate the Business Permits and Licensing Systems (BPLS) across all 139 local government units in Western Visayas by 2028. This goal, grounded in the principles of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, promises a transformative shift in how businesses interact with government, potentially positioning the region as a hub of investment and economic development.
The experiences of Pavia in Iloilo Province and Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental are illuminating early success stories. These two locales are at the forefront, having fully automated their BPLS. Their journeys offer valuable lessons and a glimpse into the potential economic uplift that awaits the region. Businesses in Pavia and Himamaylan have reported shorter processing times and a more predictable regulatory environment, which are critical factors in attracting and retaining investment. The automation has streamlined operations and also significantly reduced the opportunities for graft and corruption by minimizing human contact in the processing chain.
The ripple effects of such efficiencies are manifold. A streamlined, transparent, and efficient permit and licensing system directly correlates with increased business activity. When businesses spend less time entangled in bureaucratic red tape, they can allocate more resources to expansion, innovation, and improvement of services and products. Also, the predictability and transparency that come with automation make the region more attractive to foreign and local investors. These are the key ingredients for a robust economic ecosystem that fosters job creation and community development.
This objective to shift towards digital governance can significantly enhance the competitiveness of Western Visayas. Embracing modernization signals to potential investors a readiness to support and foster business growth, which is increasingly contingent on efficient and corruption-resistant systems.
However, the path to full automation must carefully consider local contexts and challenges. Each local government unit (LGU) will have unique hurdles, whether they are infrastructural, cultural, or economic. The success of Pavia and Himamaylan are benchmarks and learning points, but not strict templates. Tailored approaches that consider local realities will be crucial in replicating and scaling up these successes across the region.
By continuously adapting automation strategies to local needs, Western Visayas can indeed transform into a hub of efficient, transparent, and competitive business activity. This journey, while fraught with challenges, is a necessary evolution in fostering a thriving economic future for the region.
