Manila: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said its Electronic Local Government Unit (eLGU) System has helped cut processing time for business permits and boosted local revenue collections across 63 local government units in Soccsksargen and some provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DICT said the system, developed and offered free of charge to LGUs, helps local governments transition from manual permit processing to digital transactions. As of 2026, 43 LGUs in Soccsksargen and 20 LGUs in the LaMa provinces of BARMM - Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, and Maguindanao del Norte - are operational on the eLGU System.
Through the platform, businesses can apply for permits, undergo assessment, make payments, and receive permits and related documents online, depending on the services implemented by their LGU. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said faster permit processing gives entrepreneurs more time to focus on their businesses.
"Kapag mas mabilis ang permit, mas mabilis ang negosyo. Sa pamamagitan ng eLGU, hindi kailangang maubos ang oras ng ating mga negosyante sa paulit-ulit na pagpunta sa mga opisina. Mas marami silang oras para sa kanilang negosyo, kanilang mga empleyado, at kanilang mga customer (When permits are faster, businesses move faster. Through eLGU, our entrepreneurs no longer need to spend their time on repeated trips to offices. They have more time for their business, their employees, and their customers)," Aguda said.
From 2023 to 2025, LGUs in Soccsksargen processed 114,259 permits through the eLGU System, generating approximately PHP1.79 billion in local revenues. In the LaMa provinces, 7,931 permits were processed, resulting in approximately PHP77.7 million in collections.
In Kabacan, North Cotabato, business tax collections increased from PHP26.32 million in 2019 to PHP29.57 million in 2020 following the adoption of the eLGU Business Permits and Licensing System. Kabacan Municipal Administrator and Designated Business Permit and Licensing Officer Ben Guzman said the system simplified transactions for both government and businesses through a no-contact policy.
"Naiwasan na ang pagpila ng aplikante, at puwede nang mag-apply ang isang negosyante mula sa kanilang bahay, kasama na ang online payment sa pamamagitan ng Landbank at iba pang paraan (Applicants no longer need to line up, and a business owner can now apply from their home, including online payment through Landbank and other methods)," Guzman said.
In Kidapawan City, business tax revenues rose from PHP83.93 million in 2021 under the manual process to PHP102.67 million in 2022 after the implementation of an integrated digital permitting system. Kidapawan City Acting Business Permit and Licensing Officer Lope Quimco said faster and more convenient transactions encouraged compliance and increased investor confidence.
"Marami ring investor ang pumapasok dahil alam nila na mabilis, madali, at maaari nang online ang proseso (Many investors are also coming in because they know the process is fast, easy, and can already be done online)," Quimco said. In Norala, South Cotabato, business owners can now process and renew permits without leaving their stores or interrupting daily operations.
Department of Trade and Industry representative and business owner Sharven Doronio said entrepreneurs can continue serving customers while completing permit requirements online. For Kidapawan City business owner Mark Noro, the system has removed the need to visit government offices altogether.
"Halos tatlong taon ko nang ginagamit ang programang ito ng DICT. Maaari na akong magbayad online kahit weekend o anumang oras (I've been using this DICT program for almost three years now. I can already pay online even on weekends or any time)," Noro said.
DICT Soccsksargen is working with the Department of the Interior and Local Government Soccsksargen in facilitating and supporting the implementation of eLGU and the Digital Business One-Stop Shop, complementing the Anti-Red Tape Authority's push to streamline government transactions.
