Manila: With President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to create a more business-friendly environment and attract investments, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said more local government units (LGUs) nationwide are now into digital transformation to strengthen local economies.
According to Philippines News Agency, in support of the President's directive and in compliance with Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, the DILG reported that 1,414 or 92.18 percent of the country's 1,534 cities and municipalities are now compliant with the prescribed Business Permitting and Licensing System (BPLS) standards for new applications. Additionally, 1,429 or 93.16 percent comply with the Building Permits and Certificate of Occupancy (BPCO) standards for renewal applications.
In a statement, the DILG said the high compliance rates translate to faster, more efficient, and more predictable business permitting and licensing services, making it easier for entrepreneurs and investors to establish and expand their operations while helping increase local revenues and generate employment opportunities.
The DILG also recognized the commitment of LGUs to embrace digital innovation and continuously improve public service delivery, noting that their efforts have not only enhanced the ease of doing business but also made government services more accessible and convenient for the public.
To further strengthen digital governance, the department reported that 1,030 LGUs have already adopted the e-LGU System, which allows citizens to conveniently access government services online, including applications for business permits and licenses, payment of local taxes and fees, civil registry services, and other frontline transactions.
Jointly launched by the DILG and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in July 2023, the e-LGU System serves as a unified, people-centered digital platform that enables faster, more transparent, and more efficient government transactions.
At the barangay level, more than 25,000 of them have also been oriented on the Barangay Information Management System (BIMS), a free digital platform designed to improve data accuracy, strengthen reporting, and support more efficient day-to-day governance through streamlined administrative and operational processes.
As the primary agency mandated to supervise local governments, the DILG reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital transformation across all levels of local governance, empowering LGUs to deliver faster, more responsive, and investor-friendly services while creating greater opportunities for economic growth and improving the quality of life of every Filipino community.
During his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos underscored the vital role of digitalization and streamlined government processes in reducing bureaucratic delays, promoting ease of doing business, and driving economic development. "Foreign investments continue to pour in because of our beneficial policies, especially those promoting ease of doing business and accelerating digital transformation that curb red tape and corruption," the President said.
