DTI 7, Cebu City Hall, BIR, SSS, Philhealth & Pag-ibig Set-up Desks At NERBAC

After so many hurdles, DTI-7, the Cebu City Government and the four (4) mandatory agencies (BIR, SSS, PhilHealth & Pag-IBIG) involved in business registration, permitting and licensing have finally made a “breakthough”.

With DTI as the lead agency, mandated to implement RA 7470 or the National Economic Research & Business Assistance Center (NERBAC), businessmen will now experience a hassle-free business registration, permitting and licensing system (BPLS) in Cebu City as NERBAC – Central Visayas serves as their One-Stop-Shop.

Under the system, new applicants can now file their DTI Business Name Registration simultaneously with Cebu City’s Application for Business Permit (new applications only), SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and BIR Registration at the DTI - NERBAC 7.

DTI-NERBAC 7 is located at the ground floor of LDM Bldg., Lapu-lapu St. (beside DFA), Cebu City.

According to NERBAC 7 Manager Minerva Yap, this positive development is a result of a series of workshops, seminars and meetings among the members of NERBAC - 7 Governing Board and the Cebu City Government.

BPLS applicants will now be spared from going office-to-office in order to have their businesses acquire legal entities, saving them much needed time and resources, she said.

After so many hurdles, DTI-7, the Cebu City Government and the four (4) mandatory agencies (BIR, SSS, PhilHealth & Pag-IBIG) involved in business registration, permitting and licensing have finally made a “breakthough”.Yap also announced that NERBAC – 7 is conducting a free Pre-BPLS seminar every Wednesday from 1:00 to 5:00 PM (except holidays) at its conference room.

With DTI as the lead agency, mandated to implement RA 7470 or the National Economic Research & Business Assistance Center (NERBAC), businessmen will now experience a hassle-free business registration, permitting and licensing system (BPLS) in Cebu City as NERBAC – Central Visayas serves as their One-Stop-Shop.

Under the system, new applicants can now file their DTI Business Name Registration simultaneously with Cebu

NERBAC -7 as a one--stop-shop for a harmonized and streamlined BPLS in Cebu City would not have been possible without the full support, cooperation and commitment of the members of its governing board, especially the mandatory agencies BIR, SSS, PhilHealth & Pag-IBIG and the Cebu City Government.

Behind the very limited budget of NERBAC – 7 is GTZ, a German company which continuously extends financial assistance to NERBAC’s activities.

Yap disclosed that two municipalities are also being considered to pilot the implementation of the harmonized and streamlined BPLS. One is from the north (Consolacion) and the other is from the south (Barili)

Yap has high hopes that with the successful implementation in the chosen pilot areas, replicating the same in the rest of the Local Government Units (LGU’s) in Cebu and the whole of Central Visayas will not be difficult.

After so many hurdles, DTI-7, the Cebu City Government and the four (4) mandatory agencies (BIR, SSS, PhilHealth & Pag-IBIG) involved in business registration, permitting and licensing have finally made a “breakthough”.

With DTI as the lead agency, mandated to implement RA 7470 or the National Economic Research & Business Assistance Center (NERBAC), businessmen will now experience a hassle-free business registration, permitting and licensing system (BPLS) in Cebu City as NERBAC – Central Visayas serves as their One-Stop-Shop.

Under the system, new applicants can now file their DTI Business Name Registration simultaneously with Cebu

OTOP Permanent Display Center At Ayala

I'm currently in the midst of preparations for the formal opening of the OTOP permanent display center at Ayala next Saturday. Ah yes, this reminds me to invite all my media friends.

Hey, if you're from media, you're invited to attend our press conference at the Oh George Cafe Ayala branch on Oct. 13 at 9:00 in the morning. Please bring along your media colleagues. We have also invited DTI regional directors and some MSMEs in the Visayas.


So what is OTOP ?

Every place offers something unique.

In Central Visayas, there are a lot to set it apart from the rest of the Philippines.

In Bohol, there are the raffia pillows and bags; in Siquijor, we have the herbal medicines and virgin coco oil; In Negros Oriental, we have outstanding universities; in Cebu are the lechon, mango preserves, guitars, among others.


For years, towns in the region have been able to capitalize on their locality's unique products bringing not only recognition for the locality, but more importantly, a sustainable source of livelihood for residents. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the localities produce and market distinct products or services using indigenous raw materials and manpower.

This, in essence, is the principle behind the government's One Town, One Product (OTOP) project.

A priority program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs, OTOP-Philippines encourages the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to produce and market distinct products or services using indigenous raw materials and manpower.

Patterned after the one village, one product of the Oita prefecture of Japan and the one tambon, on product of Thailand, the OTOP motivates, assists and supports Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in a given locality to market distinctive products or services.

Through OTOP-Philippines, local chief executives of every city and municipality take the lead in identifying, developing, and promoting a specific product or service which has a competitive advantage.

LGUs are also encouraged to create and provide a conducive business environment and prioritize OTOP-Philippines programs and activities in their area.

The DTI, through its Regional Operations Group and SME Development Group, assists the LGUs in identifying the specific product or service and coordinates all forms of assistance from various agencies including the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Science and Technology (DOST), Tourism (DOT) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA

Under the program, the inter-agencies will provide MSMEs a comprehensive package of assistance including business counseling; skills and entrepreneurial training; product design and development; marketing; and introduction of appropriate technologies.

The impact of the entrepreneur - local government collaboration that is OTOP is very impressive. Several new micro, small and medium enterprises have sprouted and new jobs generated.

As the tripartite collaboration of the national and local governments and entrepreneurs in OTOP continues in its quest to enable towns to fully reap the benefits of their unique offerings, I am sure that our reach into the global markets will improve dramatically. With OTOP, it is not faroff for towns presently receiving overseas remittances becoming exporters to non-traditional markets where their relatives work.

With the regular training in ICT for SMEs done at the DTI-Cebu Office, I’m sure our local manufacturers can truly do global trades.