Meralco partners with ARTA to support government streamlining efforts

PARTNERS IN NATION-BUILDING. Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General and Secretary Ernesto V. Perez (left), Manila Electric Company (Meralco) AVP and Head of Biz Joy P. Mendoza (center), and Meralco SVP and Chief Legal Counsel Atty. William S. Pamintuan sign the Memorandum of Agreement for the “PaspasPilipinasPaspas” project which aims to boost the efforts for the adoption of the Integrated Business Permits and Licensing System (iBPLS) by local government units.

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has partnered with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to help local government units (LGUs) automate their business permit and licensing systems in line with the government’s thrust to promote ease in doing business.

In a ceremonial signing held recently, ARTA Director General and Secretary Ernesto V. Perez, Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel Atty. William S. Pamintuan, and Meralco Assistant Vice President and Head of Biz Joy P. Mendoza signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the “PaspasPilipinasPaspas” project that involves the deployment of desktop computer units to LGUs as part of the Integrated Business Permits and Licensing System (iBPLS).

“It is our honor and privilege to work with ARTA in the distribution of desktop computers to local government units under the iBPLS program. Through all these collaborative efforts, Meralco affirms its commitment to ARTA in helping ensure efficient and streamlined processes and quality service for businesses all over the country,” Atty. Pamintuan said.

Meralco’s donation of computer units will help the LGUs in setting up their Electronic Business One-Stop Shops (eBOSS) to ensure red-tape free and more convenient business registration—from application to approval of permits.

Prior to the signing of the MOA, ARTA Director General Sec. Perez took note of the agency’s latest collaboration with Meralco, which has long been a partner of ARTA in its efforts to improve government efficiency.

“We, at the ARTA, together with our partners commit to continue the battle against red tape, provide more seamless government transactions to the people, and make the Philippines more globally competitive,” Secretary Perez said.

He also thanked Meralco for the newest “PaspasPilipinasPaspas” project partnership and expressed hopes of future collaborations.

“We thank Meralco for its support to our initiatives for the collective benefit of the people,” he said. “We hope that this latest partnership is just one of many more collaborations between Meralco and ARTA.”