No change to business permit rules until mid-2026
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) has ordered that existing business permit and licensing procedures remain in place until June 30, 2026. This is intended to prevent disruptions during the 2026 renewal period.
In an advisory issued this week, Arta said agencies involved in business permitting agreed to maintain the status quo on compliance with the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) framework. This followed consultations held on Dec. 10.
This agreement covers local government units (LGUs), the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the National Association of Business Permits and Licensing Officers.
Arta said the decision applies specifically to the processing of fire safety inspection fees (FSIF). These are required for businesses to obtain fire safety clearances and, subsequently, business and building permits.
From Jan. 1 to June 30, 2026, LGUs will continue using their current processes for collecting FSIF. No new requirements, system shifts or unilateral changes may be imposed during this period.
LGUs that have already migrated to the Fire Safety Inspection System (FSIS) may continue using the platform for fee assessment, collection and remittance of FSIF.
Arta also directed LGUs to ensure there will be no interruption in processing timelines, service standards or payment arrangements during the six-month transition.
At the same time, Arta said it would proceed with proposed changes to the joint memorandum circular on eBOSS implementation, as part of efforts to further simplify business transactions under the Ease of Doing Business Law of 2018.
Arta said proposed changes include integrating FSIS and eBOSS, as well as provisions on data standardization and data sharing. These will be developed in consultation with the National Privacy Commission.
A checkpoint meeting to review progress on the revisions has been scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
