Thursday, April 26, 2007

DTI implements "no-breaks" at BN registration counter

Standing to plug the perceived gap in government service to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and as regards access to support, transportation and infrastructure and chain supply efficiency, the local Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is implementing a "no noon break" policy on its business name registration counter.

In a press statement, DTI-Bohol through information officer Lucille Autentico said while their office functions break at noontime, their business name counter still accepts business name registrations.

As this developed, applicants may now file their applications from 8:00AM to 5:00PM at the local DTI Office located at 2/F FCB Main Branch Bldg., C.P.G. North Ave., Cogon District, Tagbilaran City, she said.

According to the DTI, original applicants for single proprietorship needs P300 registration fee, must be adult Filipino citizens. If family name is suggestive of alien nationality, applicants need to submit proof of citizenship as PRC ID, birth certificate or voter's ID and latest franchise agreement for franchise holders, a preferred and three alternative business names.

For partnerships and corporations, applicant brings a P500 registration fee, SEC Registration certificate, two sets of corporation articles and By-Laws, a copy of the board resolution or secretary's certificate designating authorized representative to sign in behalf of corporation. They must also prepare one preferred and three alternative business names.

For renewals, applicants bring P300 fee for single proprietorship, P500 for corporations, partnerships and cooperatives while a surcharge of P100 is asked after 90 days from expiry of names. Applicants also need to surrender original BN certificate or Affidavit of Loss and the amended articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, if applicable.

This Bohol DTI initiative also came at the heels of a recent survey released by the United Parcel Service (UPS) Asia Business Monitor concerning 100 MSME respondents. In the survey, the respondents detail a perceived lack of government support on them, Presidential Management Staff Director General and Oversight Official for MSMEs Cerge Remonde said.

Remonde said that the government is currently concocting a new project to further ease the business transaction processes and bring about faster business registration of MSMEs.

He pointed out that the internet-based Philippine Business Registry System "harmonizes all business registration processes performed by different national government agencies and local government units, leading to a seamless transactional environment for business registration."

Even before the survey was conducted, Remonde explained that the government had already thrown its full support for the establishment and propagation of MSMEs and had even implemented a host of initiatives ranging from direct assistance to indirect interventions.

Remonde added that under the Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMED) Council, the government provided P91.35 billion worth of loans to entrepreneurs from 2004 to 2006 through the SME Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth (SULONG).

He said government assistance is mainly found in the Medium Term SME Development Plan in the forms of direct assistance as: credit access and guarantees, product development and technology intervention, training and marketing support, advocacy among others.

"Other forms of government assistance include marketing support in trade fairs, local and international, technology upgrades, product development and personnel training," Remonde said.

Over this, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had directed all government agencies and instrumentalities to simplify rules and regulations, reduce reportorial requirements, and eliminate fees and charges on export clearances, permits and other documentation requirements to cut red tape and to facilitate ease in doing business and encourage more investments in the country. (PIA)

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