To ensure compliance of local government units (LGUs) to various new Joint Memorandum Circulars (JMCs) pursuant to Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – 10  Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD), convened select LGUs from the region on May 23-26 and May 30-June 2, 2023 at the Dynasty Court Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

“The new JMCs require all LGUs to re-engineer their existing procedures and structures to improve service delivery to the public,” said LGCDD Chief Hazel L. Occeña.

“Therefore, we will guide you step-by-step on the ways to redesign your procedures, especially those that resulted in complex processes, because there might be a need to amend your ordinances,” she added.

The two-batch training directed the participant LGUs to (1) Streamline Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy for LGUs (BPCO), (2) Integrate Barangay Clearance in the Permitting Process, (3) Re-engineer Systems and Procedures in Compliance with RA 11032, and (4) Repeal of Policies.

Ease of Doing Business

With the goal of improving competitiveness and ease of doing business in the local scene, LGUs are directed to follow certain standards in processing permits such as business and construction-related.

One of the many standards is the establishment of a One-Stop Shop for Construction Permits (OSCP), which makes it easier for clients to secure their building permit or certificate of occupancy because of the centralization of various public offices providing services through co-location and practical system linkages. This will allow the clients to only have three (3) standard steps and 3/7/20 days standard processing time depending on the complexity of the transaction.

Emergence of technology

The clients can also ease their application for business permits and license through the cloud-based system developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) 10.

In his discussion, DICT representative Peter Jerome Talandron explained that the system aims to streamline the current system and procedures of government services. This enables the LGU to electronically apply and process building permits and occupancy permits through the said system.

In attendance during the first batch are LGUs from the province of Bukidnon (Damulog, Sumilao, Manolo Fortich, Malaybalay City, and Valencia City) and one from the province of Misamis Oriental (Naawan). Batch 2 LGUs are composed of cities – Cagayan de Oro City, Tangub City, Gingoog City, Ozamiz City, Oroquieta City, El Salvador City, and one Municipality, Opol.

The participants from each LGU are Member Chairperson on Trade and Industry, City Building Official, City Business Permit and Licensing Officer, City Zoning Officer, City Treasurer, City Assessor, City Fire Marshal, Liga ng mga Barangay President, and their representatives.