NERBAC To Ease Investment Climate In Region 6–DTI

By Ruby M. Melliza

The National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) is created to improve investment climate in region 6, according to Dominic P. Abad, Regional Director, Department of Trade and Industry. Abad disclosed the information to the 30 participants in a briefing composed of regional directors, assistant regional directors and representatives from the different national government agencies at the DTI Audio Visual Room, Iloilo City just recently.
Abad revealed the NERBAC or Republic Act No. 7470 was approved on 29 April 1992 aimed to provide prospective entrepreneurs/investors with the basic information on various business options that are opened to them in accordance with the investment priorities of the government; and to provide a one-stop-shop-action center which will facilitate the processing and documentation of all paper requirements necessary for the establishment of a business enterprise in the country, including credit services. NERBAC is pilot tested in the cities of Davao and Cebu and soon to be implemented in Region 6 to be housed at the DTI building in Iloilo City.
During his presentation, Abad revealed NERBAC will initially have two functional units which are the Investment Promotion and the Licensing and Registration Facilitation Units. Since it’s a one-stop-shop, representatives from the local government units along with the representatives from the national government agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission, Cooperative Development Authority, Social Security System, Pag-ibig Fund, Bureau of Internal Revenue and Philhealth, among others, will provide a workforce to hold office at the Center to serve the business licensing or registration facilitation needs of the investors or entrepreneurs. This scheme will eliminate red tape making business easy for investors.
To have a feel of what NERBAC is all about, DTI Cebu Regional Director Asteria Caberte talked about the Cebu NERBAC experience. Caberte said that NERBAC streamlines business processes making a positive climate for investors. "The problem lies in the commitment of all stakeholders involved in the project. Sometimes they are there, sometimes they are not there," she added.
City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, who came, said that the project is very timely. His office is now streamlining the processing of business and building permits for a better business environment for the city of Iloilo. He added that the Iloilo City hall will have a temporary shelter at the Robinsons Place to give way for the construction of the new Iloilo City Hall building. He is also looking on how the city can house together all the departments to streamline business procedures and making his office friendly to clients and investors. He pledged to support the NERBAC.
DTI will conduct series of workshops for the stakeholders to ensure the successful creation of NERBAC in Region 6. NERBAC is scheduled to be operational in April 2007. /MP