By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez underscored the need for stronger cooperation between DTI and the country’s local chief executives to generate more jobs and employment opportunities, while providing better and comfortable lives for all Filipinos.
During a dialogue with provincial governors, city mayors, and municipal mayors last 23 July at the Manila Hotel, Lopez highlighted the important role of local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Law (EODB), consumer protection, and the promotion of the administration’s livelihood programs.
“President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration are committed to push for policies that will better the lives of all Filipinos as well as programs that will uplift the quality of life across the country. Greater collaboration and cooperation with your respective local governments will greatly help in this endeavor, especially in facilitating ease of doing business,” said Lopez.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2019, President Duterte reiterated that mayors and local government chiefs must release clearances and permits that would need their approval within three days.
“The President was clear in his address that government transactions must be streamlined, simplified, responsive, and client-friendly in order to deliver services without delay and within a short timeline. This is the main point of the EODB law. We don’t want people to wait for the release of their needed permits or licenses,” the trade chief said.
Lopez emphasized the role of automation in EODB. He also recognized some cities that have started their automation in business permits processing and he encouraged other local chiefs to reengineer their processes. “The ultimate ease of doing business is automation and enabling the people to transact online through their smartphones,” shared the trade chief.
Meanwhile, the Secretary urged the local chief executives to take part in DTI’s price and standards monitoring in their locality to protect their constituents against profiteers thru their respective Local Price Coordinating Councils.
Likewise, the Secretary shared DTI’s holistic approach to drive entrepreneurship in the countryside and encouraged Filipinos to start a business. He elaborated on the 7Ms framework (Mindset Change, Mastery, Mentoring, Money, Machine, Market Access and Models of Negosyo) that would assist aspiring as well as thriving entrepreneurs. He further called on the local chiefs to partner with DTI in bringing the services to the grassroots level, i.e. their barangays and the local community.
The dialogue with the local chief executives was organized by the Department of Interior and Local Government led by Secretary Eduardo Año. Other Cabinet Secretaries present during the event were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu, Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista, Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, and National Security Council Director General Hermogenes Esperon Jr.
