To make public services better and promote a digital-first approach to governance, DILG XII held a training session on important national programs, such as the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Law, DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2019-177 about Barangay Clearance for city and town permits, PALENG-QR PH, and the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) for the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Arakan, President Roxas, and Makilala, Cotabato Province on April 10-11, 2025. The coaching session was attended by key DILG field officers and LGU officials.
The session began with an in-depth orientation on the salient features of the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) law, which mandates all LGUs to simplify and automate government processes to minimize bureaucratic red tape. Participants were briefed on standardizing and streamlining the Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) and Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy (BPCO), implementing unified application forms, and adopting the necessary ICT systems to enable a more efficient workflow.
Ms. Shylack C. Limao, the DILG XII EODB focal person, emphasized that "the goal is not just to comply with national directives but to transform how we provide business-friendly government transactions and other services to our clienteles faster, easier, and with full transparency."
The spotlight then turned to PALENG-QR PH, a digital payment initiative designed to institutionalize the use of QR codes in public markets and local transport systems. As part of the BSP and DILG's joint program, LGUs are tasked with onboarding vendors and tricycle drivers into the digital finance ecosystem.
“With PALENG-QR PH, we empower our market vendors and transport workers to become part of the digital economy,” said Ms. Cristy Jane A. Buenaflor, the alternate DILG XII EODB Focal Person.
Rounding out the session was a presentation on the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS), an online platform that facilitates the application, processing, and approval of permits for energy-related projects. “EVOSS aims to eliminate delays and increase transparency in the energy sector, positioning LGUs as enablers of infrastructure development and investment,” opined Ms. Kreisel Camasura, the Provincial EODB Focal Person.
The LGUs reaffirmed their dedication to fully implementing the digital systems. The coaching session is only the beginning, and they embraced the possible transition into the digital landscape. They are also working closely with local internet providers to boost connectivity in key service areas. Through this coaching initiative, LGUs are stepping boldly into the digital era, proving that good governance and decisively embracing the digital era demonstrate the synergy between good governance and innovation.
