The local economy in Dumaguete City is growing by leaps and bounds with 400 new businesses that applied for registration last year, a Philippine Information Agency press release said.

City Administrator William Ablong said the giant strides in the city's business growth are further enhanced by the city government's much-needed infrastructure support.

The city government in October last year launched BOSS or the Business One Stop Shop, in an effort to encourage investors to set up businesses in the city, by offering an orderly and systematic processing of business applications and renewals.

Ablong, who is the BOSS Center manager, said it provides a one-stop business assistance package, thereby cutting down red tape and processing time of business applications, the press release said.

At a forum held by the Philippine Information Agency, Ablong recalled how long and drawn-out the government process can be. “To request just one ream of bondpaper for office use, it used to require 32 signatories before the request is approved,” he said.

Although the government process has greatly improved now in terms of red tape reduction, Ablong said there still is a need to further cut down the processing time. “As much as possible, we only need to go to that government office once and not several times,” he stressed.

Ablong said BOSS will also help alleviate unemployment in the city. “With more businesses that will set up shop in the city due to an easier and faster business application processing in place, this will open job opportunities for new graduates and the unemployed here,” he said.

Since the center opened its doors on October 13, it has already facilitated 53 business applications as of November 9, 2010, the press release said.

BOSS boasts of a total turn-around processing time of only 10 days, three hours and 15 minutes, starting from the completion of application forms from the Mayor's Office by applicants at the center down to the filing of application with requirements and securing the Mayor's Permit and License.

The BOSS Center is located at the second floor of the City Health Building, Dumaguete City, the press release added.*

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