Press Release - Tolentino recognizes key role of business licensing officers in fostering economic growth

Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino recognized the key role of Business Permits and Licensing Officers (BPLOs) in fostering economic growth at the municipal, city, and provincial levels.

Moreover, the senator said that BPLOs reflect the local government's commitment to ensure a fair and efficient business climate that allows investments to grow and thrive.

This was the gist of Tolentino's speech at the 7th National Association of Business Permits and Licensing Officers (NABPLO) convention held in Okada Manila on Tuesday afternoon.

"The issuance of business licenses is not just about speed, but also fairness," the senator told the audience, composed of 600 BPLOs from different local government units (LGUs) across the country.

He continued: "As business licensing officers, you are the custodians of public interest. It is your duty to balance the need for efficiency with the responsibility of ensuring that businesses adhere to regulations that protect consumers, the environment, and the public."

If the BPLO is fair to everyone, then this would redound to a sound, strong and sustainable local economy, Tolentino noted.

Citing an example, the senator recounted how Tagaytay - where he served as mayor for three consecutive terms - developed into a progressive city with a bustling business climate.

He noted that Tagaytay's success didn't come overnight, but was the result of the hard work, sacrifices, and innovations undertaken by the LGU to foster business confidence and support local entrepreneurship.

He recalled that from just two restaurants and one hotel, the number of business establishments in Tagaytay grew to 300 by the end of his term.

Tolentino also took pride in how several homegrown businesses from Tagaytay came to be widely known in other localities, including Metro Manila.

Finally, Tolentino said that he will work on legislation that would institutionalize BPLOs in the Local Government Code.

"Every license you issue, every entrepreneur you assist, and every innovation you adopt contributes to the bigger vision of progress for our nation," he said.#

Kinilala ni Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino ang mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng