GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/31 May) – Business owners here and other parts of Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region may now secure their business licenses in less than an hour through a newly-launched online-based integrated business registry system.
Ibrahim Guiamadel, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12 director, said they have formally adopted the government-initiated Philippine Business Registry (PBR) system to help further rationalize and enhance the business registration process in the area.
He said the PBR system, which mainly integrates the services of all agencies involved in business registration, was launched here late last week through the DTI 12’s National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (Nerbac).
“Provided that there is strong Internet connectivity, the processing time will now only take about 30 minutes,” he said in a statement.
DTI 12 is so far the fourth in the country, the second within DTI and the first entity in Mindanao to link up with the PBR system.
Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
Guiamadel said the adoption and implementation of the streamlined business registration process through the PBR system could encourage more prospective investors to expand their businesses or put up new ventures in the region.
Several local government units in the area have initially expressed interest to align their systems with the PBR, he said.
Nerbac 12 noted in its website that the new system involves web-based processing of business name registration with the DTI; tax identification number or TIN with the Bureau of Internal Revenue; and employer’s registration numbers with the Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-ibig Fund.
Such documents were among the primary requirements set by local government units for the renewal and application of business licenses or permits.
“As PBR links said agencies’ computerized registration system, entrepreneurs applying for permit for a sole proprietorship business need not physically transact with the above agencies to obtain said requirements. In the long run, once the PBR system is already perfected, they may have the option to apply from computer cafés or from the confines of their homes or office using their personal computers with Internet connections,” the agency explained.
It said applicants may also transact through DTI offices in the region with established PBR counters or designated business name examiners. Application through the teller will involve submission of a filled-up application form, which may be downloaded from the website or completed and printed by the public online for submission to the PBR kiosks or tellers, Nerbac 12 added.
Trade Undersecretary Merly Cruz, DTI’s regional operations development group chief, said the implementation of the PBR system in the region will mainly benefit the business community, especially those who are planning to put up new businesses.
Cruz, who had served as DTI provincial director here, said they deployed the PBR system to enable entrepreneurs “do business easier, faster and less costly.”
The PBR system, as cited in its website www.business.gov.ph, aims to enhance the government’s efforts to provide quality services as well as realize its commitment to curb corruption and reduce red tape in the bureaucracy. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)