Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by Representative Rex Gatchalian 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICE IN EVERY CITY 
OR MUNICIPALITY IN THE COUNTRY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is the 13th most populated country in the world and is ranked 
39th in terms of nominal GDP per the International Monetary Fund (IMF) outlook for 
the years 2019 to 2023. However, the country only placed 95th in the Doing Business 
2020, a World Bank Group flagship report which provides objective measures of 
business regulations and their enforcement across 190 economies and selected cities 
at the subnational and regional level. 
Of the nine doing business indicators, the country performed the poorest in 
terms of starting a business indicator. In 2018, Republic Act No. 11032 otherwise 
known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act 
of 2018” was enacted to improve government transactions through the adoption of 
simplified requirements and procedures that will reduce red tape and expedite 
business and non-business related transactions in the government. 
Through the creation of a Business Permit and Licensing Office in every local 
government unit in the country, this bill aims to address this longstanding problem 
which had kept the country from realizing its full economic potential. 
An intensified effort from the national government as well as in the local 
sphere will result in a more vibrant and thriving economic atmosphere conducive to 
growth and confidence. The growth at every level of government shall ultimately 
July 1, 2022
3:46 pm
952




Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by Representative Rex Gatchalian 
AN ACT 
PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND MERCHANTS ENGAGED IN INTERNET 
TRANSACTIONS, CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE ECOMMERCE BUREAU 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This act shall be known as the “Business Permit 
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and Licensing Office”. 
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SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. – It shall be the policy of the State to 
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constantly improve the delivery of front line services of government, promote and 
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establish policies to ensure ease of doing business, as well as simplify systems, 
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structures, and procedures in the issuance of business permits and licenses. 
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SEC. 3. 
Creation of a Business Permit and Licensing Office. – There is 
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hereby created a Business Permits and Licensing Office, hereinafter referred to as 
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the Office, which shall, among others, handle the issuance of business permits and 
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licenses as well as formulate and implement policies and proactive measure to 
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increase local employment, draw local and foreign investments, and increase local 
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revenues. 
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SEC. 4. 
Powers, Duties and Functions. – The Business Permits and 
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Licensing Office (BPLO) shall be responsible for the following: 
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(A)
Processing of business permits and licenses as well as occupational
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permits, including the assessment of business taxes, fees, and charges of the various 
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businesses in the city or municipality. Provided, however, that all assessments are 
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subject to the authority of the local treasurer to conduct examination of books of 
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accounts as well as all other authorities as provided in the Local Government Code 
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(LGC); 
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(B) 
Monitoring and enforcement of the applicable tax ordinances and other 
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pertinent laws, ordinances, rules and regulations in the operations of businesses and 
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occupations within the jurisdiction of the LGU; 
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(C) 
Formulation of policies as a proactive measure to draw local and foreign 
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investments especially in priority areas/industries and as a tool to define the 
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development thrust of the LGU; 
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(D) 
Initiate, review and recommend to the Mayor revenue-generating 
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measures to increase local revenues; 
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(E) 
Enforcement of the LGUs Tax Ordinances and other pertinent laws, 
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ordinances, and rules and regulations; 
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(F) 
Sit as a member of the Local Finance Committee, Local Investment 
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Board and such other bodies as the Mayor shall identify; and 
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(G) 
Perform such other function as may be provided by law. 
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SEC. 5. 
Appointment of the Chief, BPLO. – The Business Permits and 
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Licensing Office (BPLO) shall be headed by Chief, with the rank and salary of a 
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Department Head. He/She shall be qualified by the Promotion Board of the LGU. The 
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position of Chief, BPLO, shall henceforth be included under the mandatory 
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appointive local officials common to all municipalities, cities and provinces under 
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Book III, Title Five of Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government 
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Code. 
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SEC. 6. 
Composition and Office Structure. – The BPLO shall be composed 
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of three (3) principal divisions, namely: 
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(A) 
Administrative Division – This division is tasked to handle the 
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administrative function of the Investments and Business Permits and Licensing 
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Office (IBPLO); 
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(B) 
Business Permits and Licensing/Occupational Permits Division – This 
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division shall act on all applications for business and/or mayor’s permits and 
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occupational permits as required under applicable law, ordinance, rules and 
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regulations; 
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(C) 
Investments Division – This division is tasked to craft policies which 
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shall increase local investments in the local government in coordination with 
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concerned offices; 
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(D) 
Inspection Division – This division shall handle the technical function 
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of the Office through: 
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(i) 
Tax mapping and regular inspections of all business 
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establishment existing and/or operating within the territorial 
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jurisdiction of the LGU; 
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(ii) 
Issue and/or implement necessary notices and/or orders to the 
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concerned establishments; and 
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(iii) 
Perform such other matters and functions that may be assigned 
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by the Chief, BPLO. 
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SEC. 7. 
Staffing Pattern. – For purposes of the creation of the BPLO, 
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officers and employees of the Municipality or City holding permanent appointments 
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shall be given preference for appointment to the new positions created. All other 
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personnel currently employed in this office shall be prioritized by the Promotion 
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Board, provided they are eligible and qualified for such position. 
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No new employees shall be taken in until all permanent employees have been 
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appointed, including temporary and casual employees who possess the necessary 
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qualification requirements, among which is the appropriate civil service eligibility, 
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for permanent positions. 
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The Office shall determine its organizational structure and create new 
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divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers and employees 
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in accordance with the Civil Service Law, rules and regulations. 
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SEC. 8. 
Appropriation. – The corresponding appropriations shall be 
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charged against any available funds in the Annual Budget of the LGU. The 
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corresponding appropriations therefor shall be incorporated in all succeeding annual 
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executive budgets in years thereafter. 
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SEC. 9. 
 Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Office, in 
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coordination with concerned offices in the local government unit and in consultation 
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with the stakeholders shall, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, 
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issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 10. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is held 
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provision hereof which are not affected 
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thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 11.  Repealing Clause. – All laws, rules, and regulations, presidential 
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decrees, letters of instruction and other presidential issuances which are 
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incompatible or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed 
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amended, or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after 
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its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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