City Hall eyes digitized transactions by 2020

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

The Iloilo city government aims to complete the automation process of all the permits, licenses, and other documents for hassle-free transactions.

Business Process and Licensing Office (BPLO) head Norman Tabud said the Information Technology (IT) department has already started the automation process for the issuances of permits.

“Ang aton documents nasuguran naton digitize para nga mahapos siya i-access kag subong gina–arrange man naton ang online payment para sa mga taxes and fees,” he said in an interview on the sidelines of the annual Tax Forum on Friday.

According to Tabud, the city government is also arranging an online payment system for taxes and other fees.

In compliance with Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business, Tabud said a Business One-Stop Shop will also be rolled out inside the City Hall next year to provide easier and faster transactions of building permits and certificates of occupancy.

“May ara kita one-stop shop dira sa City Engineer’s Office, nag-allocate sila space wherein dira ka na kag maclaim sang mga documents kag permits. Ini para mahapos kag madali na para sa mga client ta nga magtransact sa ila application,” he said.

Tabud said automating the processes inside the City Hall for hassle-free transactions will be their new direction under the leadership of Mayor Jerry Treñas.

“By 2020, amo na ang direction ginalantaw ni mayor nga luyag niya mas mahapos ang proseso thru automation,” he said.

During the annual tax forum, barangay officials, consultancy firms, business establishments and other stakeholders were informed of the processing and licensing system needed for business requirements.

“We would like to give information to the business community. This tax forum aims to provide information regarding business requirements and procedures for those applying for new and to be retired business establishments,” Local Treasury Operations Officer III Helen Alcantara said in a separate interview.

Through the forum, Tabud hopes that the city will generate increased revenues by next year.

As of September 2019, a total of 15,882 business permits were issued by the BPLO, according to Tabud.

Of the number, Tabud said 1,763 accounted for new businesses where majority are into trading, retail, and tourism-related businesses like food and accommodation.