BORONGAN, Eastern Samar – For three years in a row, the municipality of Borongan under Mayor Fidel V. Anacta Jr. has been instituting a system where businessmen, retailers and other tradesmen would find it easy to get their business permits every January.

The One-Stop-Shop is located at the lobby of the municipal building just beside the municipal police station and the municipal treasurer’s office. Also housed in the Municipal building are LGU agencies but the clients need not to go there anymore because right at the lobby are the representatives of these offices to immediately attend or help them on their business requirements.

On a row of long tables with their signboards are the representatives of PhilHealth, SSS, DTI, BIR, RHU, Municipal Engineering Office (MEO) and the Municipal Planning & Dev. Office (MPDO) at the back of the building is the Municipal Fire Station.

Mayor Anacta has started the one-stop-shop scheme in 2002 after he found out that those who were getting and renewing their business license found it difficult to be looking for these offices. And many coming from these sectors did not renew their licenses while others just operated their business without the necessary permit. As a result the income of the municipality was greatly affected.

After its installation three years ago, businessmen are now encouraged to get their business permits as early as the first working day of January every year, resulting in increased collection of revenues that help finance development project of Borongan.

Mayor Anacta meanwhile, is appealing to the sectors concerned to avail of these services before the end of this month to avoid penalties and inconveniences .