PARTNERS FOR EFFICIENCY. Department of the Interior and Local Government-Bureau of Local Government Development Director Anna Liza F. Bonagua (left) joins Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Secretary Ernesto V. Perez (center) and Atty. William S. Pamintuan (right), Meralco Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel, and Head of Legal and Corporate Governance Office for the ceremonial turnover of 500 desktop computers as part of the “Paspas Pilipinas Paspas” project which seeks to streamline and digitalize the business permit and licensing services of local government units.

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has turned over 500 desktop computers to the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to help streamline and digitalize government services.

The desktop computers will be distributed to 166 local government units (LGUs) to help automate their business permit and licensing systems, promote ease of doing business and contribute to developing the country’s competitiveness.

project.

Each of the LGUs will receive three (3) desktop computer units that can be used to set-up their Electronic Business One-Stop Shops (eBOSS) to ensure red-tape free and more convenient business registration—from application to approval of permits.

In attendance during the ceremonial turnover recently were 27 LGUs in Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon and Rizal that are among the beneficiaries of the project.

This initiative supports the “Paspas Pilipinas Paspas” project of ARTA which aims to improve bureaucratic efficiency, one of the priority areas under the government’s 8-point socioeconomic agenda.

LGU beneficiaries commit to support the Paspas Pilipinas Paspas project by setting up their Electronic Business One-Stop Shops (eBOSS) to ensure a red-tape free and more convenient business registration.

During the turnover ceremony, ARTA Director General Ernesto V. Perez said the partnership between the agency and Meralco would help LGUs become more efficient with their processes.

“We will ensure that streamlining and digitalization of all processes and procedures are being done in government offices nationwide,” he said, adding: “The efficiency of LGUs’ service delivery will bring higher business registrations and tax revenues, thus, bringing in a higher budget for better social services in the localities.”

Meralco, meanwhile, looks forward to more collaborations with ARTA on programs that would benefit the public, according to Atty. William S. Pamintuan, Meralco Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel, and Head of Legal and Corporate Governance Office.

“Meralco is one with ARTA in leveraging technology to empower economic recovery. The digitalization and automation of business permit and licensing systems is a critical component not only in encouraging the creation of new businesses to spur economic recovery, but also the expansion of existing ones to fuel and sustain our growth trajectory,” he said.