Businesses dealing with the Cebu Provincial Government could see lower costs and faster transactions as the Capitol rolls out reforms aimed at making its services more accessible to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano said the measures respond to concerns raised by businesses over high property tax assessments, delays in government payments and the need to travel to Cebu City to complete transactions.
Durano, representing Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, presented the initiatives Wednesday during the “MSME Day Cebu: Breaking Limits!” roadshow, which gathered around 200 entrepreneurs from different parts of the country.
Among the reforms being pursued are the reassessment of real property taxes, reduction of provincial fees, livestreaming of procurement activities, digital payment systems and the settlement of outstanding obligations to suppliers.
The provincial government has partnered with PLDT to develop digital payment channels, including GCash for some Capitol transactions.
The system is intended to allow residents and business owners outside Cebu City to complete transactions without personally traveling to the provincial capital, reducing both transportation costs and the time needed to transact with the provincial government.
The Capitol is also opening its procurement proceedings to greater public scrutiny by livestreaming bidding activities through the provincial government’s Facebook page.
Durano said the initiative is the first of its kind in the history of the provincial government’s procurement process and would allow suppliers to monitor bidding proceedings remotely.
He encouraged MSMEs that have not previously participated in provincial government procurement to consider becoming suppliers.
“I encourage small businesses here who have not participated in any of the procurement of the provincial government to do so, to explore it,” Durano said.
The provincial government is also reviewing its real property tax assessments following complaints received after Baricuatro assumed office last year.
Durano said some of the concerns came from businesses in the agriculture sector, including hog raisers and poultry growers, who questioned what they considered high real property tax assessments.
The complaints prompted the Capitol to review its assessment policies, he said.
Another concern being addressed is the payment of outstanding obligations to suppliers, particularly MSMEs that have provided goods and services to the provincial government.
Durano said changes in administration have sometimes resulted in suppliers waiting for extended periods before receiving payment, creating cash flow difficulties for small businesses that rely on timely payments to sustain their operations.
Under the Baricuatro administration, he said the provincial government intends to settle outstanding obligations provided that suppliers have complete documentation and the transactions complied with required bidding and procurement procedures.
The measures are part of the administration’s “Ato ang Sugbo” approach, which Durano said places public service at the center of government operations.
“It reminds us that Cebu belongs to you. It is a directive that in everything we do, in all services that we do, we have to continue improving, because at the end of the day, you are the bosses, not us,” he said.
The provincial government said the reforms are intended to improve how businesses access Capitol services while strengthening transparency and accountability in its dealings with the private sector.
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