Amendment of EODB ordinance OK’d

The 21st City Council approved the amendment of Section 32 of Ordinance No. 13992-2020, or the “Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Ordinance” of the city. 

Filed by Councilor Jonjon Rodriguez and Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, with co-authors Councilors George Goking and Marlo Tabac, the ordinance modified a provision of the EODB law originally enacted by the 19th City Council on December 14, 2020.

The said measure aligns with the national policy of streamlining government processes to make public services faster, more efficient, and transparent.

Councilor Rodriguez lobbied the revision of Section 32, which set a uniform ₱1,000 barangay clearance fee across all barangays, citing the fixed rate does not reflect the varying economic conditions, population sizes, and financial capacities of each barangay.

Speaking as a former punong barangay, he stressed that a one-size-fits-all policy is neither practical nor fair, citing the disparity between large barangays like Carmen and hinterland barangays such as Besigan.

The provision was also seen to create confusion among barangay officials and residents and potentially weaken local autonomy as provided for in the Local Government Code.

Under the approved amendment, the fixed barangay clearance fee is removed. Barangays may now set their own barangay clearance fees through their local ordinance, subject to review and approval by the City Council.

The revised policy aims to understand the unique context of each barangay and impose appropriate fee structures for small and large establishments. (JDO/SP)