THE business forum in Tagbilaran City will focus and promote the digital platforms pushing for contactless transactions. Key personnel from both the city government and National Government Agencies (NGAs) will be present to provide clarifications to the business community.
Acting City Administrator Cathelyn Torremocha; City Legal Officer Atty. Kathy Blanche Borja-Jamila; Business Permit and Licensing Office Atty. Thea Ivory Parras; City Assessor Fe Almine; City Treasurer Hubert Inas; City Tourism Officer May Hope Arcenal; City Health Officer Dr. Jeia Pondoc; Sanitary Inspector Myla Sumampong; City Engineer Ted Estoque; Office of the Building Official Gina Inting, and the Joint Inspection Team are expected to attend. Representatives from the NGAs will also be present such as the City Fire, SSS, PAG-IBIG, DTI, and PHILHEALTH.
City Mayor Jane Yap assured the business owners that the City Government will support their welfare. Mayor Yap also recognized the importance of automation in these trying times as espoused by her advocacy on digitalization. Contactless transaction is the key towards achieving a balance between sustainable economy and health.
It should be remembered that automation played a big role in Tagbilaran City’s sound fiscal management. Three years ago, the business permitting system in Tagbilaran City was a long and tedious process, business establishments got accustomed to the month-long processing and long queues. But this scenario changed dramatically when the Business Permits and Licensing Office, City Treasurer Office, and the Information Technology Department merged and came up with a streamlined system. A system which harnessed the power of information technology dubbed as e-TAGB.
The Enhanced Tracking and Assessment for Business or e-TAGB is a platform which integrated the e-TRACS with the streamlined business permitting process. After the e-TAGB was put in place, the collection of business taxes in Tagbilaran City increased, surpassing the collection targets given by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF). But, the most pressing impact of the e-TAGB was the increase of the City’s local income which paved the way for local projects to be funded. With the e-permitting system in 2022, the City Government looks forward to maintaining and strengthening its sound fiscal management. (Jeanette Busano)
