Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — What if you could put up a business in just three easy steps?
This is the vision of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC): a government without red tape, which will pave the way for ease of doing business for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The NCC put up a one-stop shop in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2015 so that businesses can get their SEC registration at the same time as their tax, Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG numbers.
This cuts down the process of starting a business from 16 steps to just six.
The government wants to shorten it further next year, with one transaction for all national agencies, another for local government, and one last step to pay.
The one-stop shop is now available in the SEC head office and select malls.
Similar shops are opening in Tarlac, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro this year.
Trade Sec. Adrian Cristobal, Jr. said these reforms will help MSMEs which do not have the money or manpower to deal with red tape.
“Our reforms, our initiatives should target the micro and small. Kapag madali na sa kanila magtayo ng negosyo o magpatakbo ng negosyo, okay na tayo,” said Cristobal.
[Translation: Our reforms, our initiatives should target the micro and small. When it’s easier for them to put up businesses, then we’ve done well.]
The council also began what it called “Project Repeal” in a bid to review all government issuances to eliminate those that cause unnecessary delays for businesses.
For example, the Trade Department found 230 of its own rules were no longer relevant and struck them down.
Council co-chair Guillermo Luz said Project Repeal will inevitably spill over to the next administration, but he expects full support, regardless of who the new president will be.
“I don’t hear any of the candidates opposing streamlining of business or simplification,” said Luz. “In fact, I’ve listened to them all and they’re quite impatient. They want us to move faster.”
Luz said 60 laws are currently under review, including rules on foreign ownership and investment restrictions.
