BPLS Reform Program Guide - National Computer Center

14 BPLS R EFORM P ROGRAM G UIDE
• Forge a memorandum of agreement between the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the
city/municipality, as necessary, to implement streamlined procedures for assessing and
paying fire safety inspection fees that will enable the LGUs to implement the steps above.
In addition, DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2011-15 encourages LGUs to issue a conditional
permit to a business in cases where the “only lacking clearances are those of the SSS, Phil Health
and PAG-IBIG, conditional upon the submission of the clearances after one month and the
revocation or non-renewal of a business permit for failure to do so."
Standard Processing Time
Consistent with ARTA, cities and municipalities are enjoined to comply with prescribed times for
processing and releasing business registrations:
• Process and release new business permits in 10 days. LGUs are encouraged to strive for
5 days or less, which is the average processing time in LGUs with streamlined BPLS.
This processing is classified as a complex transaction following ARTA.
• Process and release business renewals in 5 days. LGUs are encouraged to strive for one
day or less, which has been achieved in many LGUs that have streamlined their BPLS.
This processing is classified as a simple transaction.
Signatories
Cities and municipalities shall follow the prescribed number of signatories required in processing
new business applications and business renewals based on the provisions of the ARTA, which
limits the number of signatures in any document to five. However, LGUs are encouraged to
require only two signatories, the Mayor and the Treasurer or the BPLO. To avoid delay in the
release of permits, the Mayor may deputize alternate signatories (e.g., the Municipal or City
Administrator or the BPLO).
Proposed BPLS Procedures
DTI and DILG have produced a manual that details the steps that LGUs may follow in
streamlining BPLS. These steps include the following:
1. Pre-streamlining Activities. These activities solicit the support of stakeholders and the
commitment of LCEs for the reforms. They consist of conducting orientation workshops
on the reforms, securing the commitment of LCEs to making the reforms, and organizing
technical working groups to make the reforms.
2. Diagnosis. This step is usually taken in “self-assessment" workshops in which the LGU
(1) creates a current BPLS flowchart for new registrations and renewals, (2) assesses the
process vis-a-vis the standards set by government, and (3) identifies gaps and strategies
for bridging the gaps.
3. Process Design. This step involves preparing the BPLS action or reform plan, which
assigns responsible persons and defines budget requirements for the reforms.
4. Institutionalization. This step ensures that the legal requisites for the reforms (e.g.,
executive orders and ordinances) are prepared and legislated at the local level.