The SCAD Council launched a project to harmonize business registration policies and procedures in the Subic and Clark Freeport Zones with the primary objectives of reducing cost of doing business in the two Freeport Zones and removing causes of red tape to ensure ease of making business and promoting customer-friendly environment.

The project aims to avoid any unnecessary competition between the complimentary business operations of the two zones in areas where similarities abound, such as business permits and registration procedures, lease and land rates policies, and other similar business services and activities.

It involves the participation of SBMA, CDC, andCIAC whose representatives, together with the SCADCouncil Secretariat, undertook an in-depth review of their existing procedures and practices in relation to the objectives. Also involved in the review and studywere representatives from Immigration (BID), Customs (BOC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA).

The study takes into consideration the laws, executive issuances, and existing government policies governing conduct of business, in particular those that promote efficiency and effectiveness and the elimination of red tape to enhance business and economic activities. Taken in particular account is Republic Act No. 9485, otherwise known as the “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007” entitled: “AN ACT TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY IN THE DELIVERY OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC BY REDUCING BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE, PREVENTING GRAFT AND CORRUPTION, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR.”

By June 2009, the Harmonization and Streamlining of Business Permit System Project will have been completed and submitted to the SCAD Council for consideration and approval, together with a final draft of a Memorandum of Agreement among the participating agencies concerned, and accompanied by a final draft of Implementing Rules and Regulations.