ILOILO City – The processing of permits, clearances and the like in local government offices should be three days at the most, according to President Rodrigo Duterte. Are local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas up for the challenge?
“I am directing you publicly, mayors. I am directing also Department of Interior and Local Government secretary Eduardo Año to see to it that this is honored – all clearances and permits emanating from your offices must be out within three days,” said Duterte in his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday.
Mayor Jerry Treñas of this city said his administration is ready to comply with the presidential directive.
“I welcome that very much,” said the mayor.
In fact, said Treñas, he already ordered city government building officials and engineers to hasten the release of building permits.
Regarding business permits and clearances, Treñas said these are being hastened, too, although he did not say how many days.
According to the President, corruption starts in the slow processing of transactions in local government units.
“I want three days, unless there is an exceptional reason, three days para hindi na magpabalik-balik kasi diyan ang perahan eh. Pagdating doon meron na naman hingin, pagdating doon may hingin,” said Duterte.
Antique’s Gov. Rhodora Cadiao also welcomed the President’s directive. She, however, clarified that processing delays were not much of a problem in her province because there were not many applications for businesses.
Duterte urged Filipinos to demand better service from local governments and resist corruption.
“Kayo rin kasi, sinasabi ko na sa inyo, be assertive. At ‘pag kayo o ikaw hiningian more than the required payment by government at humingi pa sa iyo, mag-eskandalo kayo sa opisina. Make a scene. Sampalin mo ‘yang p***** i** na ‘yan,” said the President.
The most sought-after permit from the Antique provincial government, said Cadiao, was the quarry permit. But since this is a special permit, the processing takes some time.
For one, she said, site inspection is required with the goal of ensuring the safety of quarry workers and the integrity of the area being quarried.
“Ako naman ay hindi talaga dapat maging generous in giving permits to quarry. Matagal ‘yan kasi pinai-inspect ko pa,” said Cadiao.
When he was the mayor of Davao City, said Duterte, he was able to hasten the processing of permits and clearances.
“Hindi ako nagyayabang. In Davao, it’s one hour unless there is a need for ocular inspection,” he said.
In his fourth SONA, the President urged local government offices to simplify the transaction processes.
“Simplify. You can do it electronically. You do not have to go to the office. I’ve been asking that from you since three years ago. ‘Pag hindi pa ninyo nagawa ‘yan ngayon, papatayin ko talaga kayo. Nabubwisit na…” said Duterte.
He added: “Simplify and make your services responsive, client-friendly. Your client is the Filipino, our employer from where the money in our pockets come from, our salaries.”/PN
Matu-od ina siling ni Atty Budot sa amon bording haus. Makuha ikaw sang imo ‘birth certificate’ mga tatlo ka adlaw ang imo tindog sa linya bag-o ikaw makasulod sa opisina. Damo na nga reklamo sa head opis wala man gihapon naga-bg-o ang sistema.