THE Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Information and Communication Technology (DICT) signed on Tuesday a joint memorandum circular (JMC) enjoining all cities and municipalities in the country to further streamline their business permits and licensing system (BPLS) using the revised standard.

“The JMC will take effect immediately; the execution is within 30 days. They [local government offices] will be adjusting their templates, systems and setting up the layout of the office,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters in an interview.