General Santos City - Region 12 Investor's Assistance Network's Business Registration Licensing Group held its IAN Assembly BPLS Year-End Assessment cum Planning Workshop last December 12-13, 2011 at the Sarangani Highlands Hotel & Restaurant in Tambler General Santos City.
DAY 1 began with a Briefing on BPLS Initiatives and Plans of LGU-GSC & Tour of GSC Facility held in the GSC Hall Conference room. Vice Mayor Shirlene Bañas in lieu of City Mayor Darlene Antonino Custodio, CEMCDO Head, Ms. Meriam Buguis and GSC BPLO Geraldine Zamora conducted the briefing.
Said activity was followed by an opening ceremony held in Sarangani Highlands. DTI 12 Assistant Regional Director Dorecita T. Delima gave her welcome remarks and stressed the importance of streamlining of business processes to encourage more investors in the region.
Although not able to attend the activity, Congressman Pedro B. Acharon Jr. of the 1st District of South Cotabato sent in his behalf the chairperson of the Trade & Industry Committee of GSC's Sangguniang Panlungsod, Councilor Beth Bagonoc who reiterated Congressman Acharon's appreciation of the effort of DTI, DILG and IAN to fast track the streamlining of business proccessing in the region.
Plenary focused on BPLS Computerization Project followed.
Philippine Business Registry Provincial Director Ernani M. Dionisio gave the participants an update of the status of PBR in the country and explained that there already many LGUs in Luzon that are currently connected to PBR. He further shared that Securities and Exchange Commission's database/system is now being shared with PBR and the target is to connect the systems of PAG-IBIG, SSS and BIR early next year. PD Dionisio further encouraged the Business Permit Licensing Officers (BPLOs) to write the office of the PBR to re-affirm their commitment to connect with PBR. The first ones to write will also be the first to be assessed in terms of readiness for connectivity.
Ms. Eloisa San Mateo, Project Officer of the National Computer Center discussed NCC's Computerization Program and mentioned that currently NCC is giving out a system to LGUs for free. Said system is currently being implemented by Pres. Roxas of Cotabato Province and is being evaluated by the City of Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat and Kabacan in Cotabato. Ms. San Mateo further said that NCC is currently enhancing/developing same system into a higher level which allows cloud computing. Guidelines for the use of the improved system will be released on Dec. 15, 2011. She further explained that NCC is willing to conduct Users' Training to those interested LGUs and that local training can be availed provided that there are at least 10 LGUs who will attend the training.
Meanwhile, Mr. Erbi B. Feranco, Chief Programmer of Wolfire Software gave a demonstration on his Business Permit Management System which his company offers for a certain price but will guarantee speedy processing of business permits even without the use of an internet. He mentioned that his software has key features like Data Entry and Maintenance Support, One Window Search, Process, Print for Billing Connections, Fix and Secure Computation of Business Tax, Business Tax Assessors Module, Collection Module and Advanced Query Module and Security .
Workshop and One-on-One Consultations on Computerization Program, Review of 2011 Accomplishments vis-a-vis Targets, Direction Setting for 2012 and Action Planning then followed late in the afternoon.
Day 2 is a continuation of workshop and presentation of action plans.
Investor's Assistance Network 12 is composed of National Government Agencies and Local Government Units involved in the Registration of Businesses. IAN is tasked to come up with an integrated investment promo plan for the region, facilitate conduct of regional investment promo-related activities, facilitate investments of local and foreign investors, assist in providing data to support updated investment-related information and discuss investment-related issues and concerns for proper resolution.
