Puerto Princesa City ensures compliance with Ease of Doing Business Act

On July 26 to 27, USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine Association of Building Officials (PABO) facilitated a workshop on streamlining building permits and certificates of occupancy system for the Puerto Princesa City government and other development partners. This oriented and prepared the 40 workshop participants to comply with the recently approved Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Act which aims to promote good governance and efficient delivery of services through streamlining and automation of building permits and occupancy systems. The required procedures for the standard and complementary reforms, including EODB’s two-strike policy, were discussed. It was emphasized that violations could cause a six-month suspension and disqualification from public office and forfeiture of benefits. Moreover, Fire Marshall Supt. Cesar Patrocino guided the walk-through over BFP’s process and requirements for securing building permits and certificate of occupancy, while Engr. Joselito Guevara, President of PABO, provided simulation for the new streamlined procedures with the established complementary reforms. The city government also presented their proposed plans for streamlining which include establishing the physical layout of the improved Office of the Building Official as part of the compliance to the EODB’s zero-contact policy. The Puerto Princesa City Chamber of Commerce and the City Treasurer’s Office expressed their support in helping the city create a more business-friendly environment.