Entrepreneurs in micro, small to medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) will benefit from the soon-to-be launched Philippine Business Registry system.
According to Whilner Morales, business manager of PBR, the new system is a secure and non-intrusive web-based IT system, which applicants can access anywhere provided they are connected to the internet.
“Ours is an archipelagic nation, when you want to apply for a business permit it takes time and also cost money in traveling, particularly those in remote areas.” Morales said.
A project of the Department of Trade and Industry the PBR facilitates the registration of businesses and other related functions, cutting down the number of days needed to process particular permits and transactions using IT as a tool.
It is a virtual one-stop shop as it integrates applications from core agencies like DTI/Securities and Exchange Commission, local government units, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System, PhilHealth and the Pag-Ibig.
According to a World Bank report, registering for businesses in the country takes about 50 days with about 11 processes. Morales said that in PBR an applicant can now have his DTI papers processed in about 30 minutes (provided he has all the requirements) as compared to the old five-day wait. For business application-related BIR transactions an applicant can get his permit in an instant compared to the old seven-day waiting period.
Morales said the system is paperless, providing a server-to-server integration which eliminates the face-to-face factor and geographical boundaries.
The City of Caloocan is currently testing the system and although the project was started and initiated during the previous administration, Morales said that the project is outside politics as this is in consonance with President Aquino’s platform in his recent state-of-the-nation address which is to provide a faster, cleaner and more convenient way of conducting business in the country, one which will spur more investments, jobs and development.
Morales said that the current DTI secretary, Gregory Domingo, is an advocate of the PBR project. [PIA 11/RG Alama]
