NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
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*22 SEP-5 P4 54
SENATE
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICE (BPLO) 
IN EVERY CITY OR MUNICIPALITY IN THE COUNTRY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act 11032 otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and 
Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 was approved on May 28, 
2018. This law amended Republic Act 9485, otherwise known as the "Anti-Red 
Red Tape Act of 2007. RA 11032 was enacted to provide improved and better 
government services and transactions, as well as to expedite business and non­
business transactions in the government.
As for the iocal government units, it is Imperative that all municipalities 
and cities must have their respective Business Permits and Licensing Office 
(BPLO), which is the frontline service for all business - related transactions. 
This office is essential as per Sections 10 and 11 of RA 11032.
This measure intends to institutionalize the creation of a BPLO in every 
local government unit in the entire country. It is the intent of this bill to further 
provide better, faster and efficient services to all Filipinos. In this way the 
application for new and renewal of business permits as well as investment 
programs of the business sector with the local government units will be more 
systematic and proficient.


As every local government unit achieves its full economic growth, they 
shall be financially ready to implement programs that are necessary for the 
people they serve. Furthermore, decent employment opportunities both the 
private sector, will be created by fostering a better business friendly locality.
In the end, the national government wins as in this way it empowers local 
government units to become better service providers to the its constituents.
It is fervently hoped for the immediate consideration and passage of this 
bill is highly sought. 
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JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
• 7
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72 SEP-5 P4 -54
SENATE
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJEROTO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICE (BPLO) 
IN EVERY CITY OR MUNICIPALITY IN THE COUNTRY
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines,, 
in Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the "Business
2 
Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) Act of 2022".
3 
Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to constantly
4 
improve the delivery of front line services of government, promote and establish
5 
policies to ensure ease of doing business, as well as simplify systems,
6 
structures, and procedures in the issuance of business permits and licenses.
7 
Sec 3. Establishment of a Business Permit and Licensing Office -There
8 
is hereby established a Business Permit and Licensing Office, hereinafter
9 
referred to as the Office, which shall, among others, handle the issuance of
10 
business permits and licenses as well as formulate and implement policies and
11 
proactive measure to increase local employment, draw local and foreign
12 
Investments, and Increase local revenues in all municipalities or cities.
13 
Sec. 4. Powers, Duties and Functions - The Business Permits and
14 
Licensing Office (BPLO) shall be responsible for the following:
15 
a. Process all business permits and licenses as well as occupational
16 
permits, including the assessment of business taxes, fees and
17 
charges of the various businesses In the city or municipality.


1 
Provided, however, that all assessments are subject to the
2 
authority of the local treasurer to conduct examination of books of
3 
accounts as well as all other authorities as provided in the Local
4 
Government Code (LGC);
5 
b. 
Monitors and enforces applicable tax ordinances and other
6 
pertinent laws, ordinances, rules and regulations in the operations
7 
of businesses and occupations within the jurisdiction of the LGU;
8 
c. 
Formulates policies as a proactive measure to draw local and
9 
foreign investments especially in priority areas/industries and as a
10 
tool to define the development thrust of the LGU;
11 
d. 
Initiates, reviews and recommends to the Mayor revenue-
12 
generating measures to increase local revenues;
13 
e. 
Enforces all the LGU's tax ordinances and other pertinent laws,
14 
ordinances, and rules and regulations;
15 
f. 
Sits as a member of the Local Finance Committee, Local
16 
Investment Board and such other bodies as the Mayor shall
17 
identify; and
18 
g. 
Performs such other functions as may be provided by law.
19 
Sec. 5. Appointment of the Chief, BPLO - The Business Permits and
20 
Licensing Office (BPLO) shall be headed by a Chief, with the rank and salary of
21 
a Department Head. S/He shall be qualified by the Personnel Selection and
22 
Promotions Board (PSPB) of the LGU. The position of Chief, BPLO, shall
23 
henceforth be included under the mandatory appointive local officials common
24 
to all municipalities, cities and provinces under Book III, Title Five of Republic
25 
Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code.
26 
Sec. 6. Composition and Office Structure - The Business Permits and
27 
Licensing Office (BPLO) shall be composed of four (4) principal divisions,
28 
namely:


1 
a. 
Administration Division - This division is tasked to handle
2 
administrative functions of the Investments and Business Permits
3 
and Licensing Office (BPLO)
4 
b. 
Business Permits and Licensing/Occupational Permits Division -
5 
This division shall act on all applications for business and/or
6 
mayor's permits and occupational permits as required under
7 
applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations;
8 
c. 
Investments Division - This division is tasked to craft policies that
9 
shall increase local investments in the local government in
10 
coordination with concerned offices for submission to the local
11 
sanggunian (council) for ratification. It shall also supervise
12 
compliance of business establishments that have partnered with
13 
the local government on investment opportunities.
14 
d. 
Inspection Division - This division shall handle the technical
15 
function of the Office through:
16 
i. Tax mapping and regular inspections of all business
17 
establishments existing and/or operation within the
18 
territorial jurisdiction of the LGU;
19 
ii. Issue and/or implement notices and/or orders to the
20 
concerned establishments; and
21 
iii. Perform such other matters and functions that may be
22 
assigned by the Chief, BPLO.
23 
Sec. 7. Staffing Pattern. - For purposes of the creation of the Business
24 
Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), officers and employees of the local
25 
government unit holding permanent appointments shall be given preference for
26 
appointment to the new positions created. All other personnel currently
27 
employed In this office shall be prioritized by the Personnel Selection and
28 
Promotions Board (PSPB), provided, they are eligible and qualified for such
29 
position.


1 
No new employees shall be taken in until all permanent employees have
2 
been appointed, including temporary and casual employees who possess the
3 
necessary qualification requirements, among which is the appropriate civil
4 
service eligibility, for permanent positions.
5 
The Office shall determine its organizational structure and create new
6 
divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers and
7 
employees in accordance with the Civil Service Law, rules and regulations.
8 
Sec. 8. Appropriation. - The corresponding appropriations shall be
9 
charged against any available funds in the Annual Budget of the LGU. The
10 
corresponding appropriations therefor shall be incorporated in all succeeding
11 
annual executive budgets in years thereafter.
12 
Sec. 9. Impiementing Ruies andReguiations -The Office, in coordination
13 
with the concerned offices in the local government unit and in consultation with
14 
the stakeholders shall, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act,
15 
must issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation
16 
of this Act.
17 
Sec. 10. Separabiiity Ciause. If any part or provision of this Act is held
18 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provision hereof which are not
19 
affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.
20 
Sec. 11. Repeaiing Ciause. All laws, orders, rules or regulations that are
21 
inconsistent or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or
22 
repealed accordingly.
23 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
24 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national
25 
newspaper of general circulation.
26
Approved,