- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolodnons can now transact business and avail of city government services “easily, conveniently, and comfortably”, with the grand opening of the SM Government Service Express (GSE) center at the third floor northwing of the mall July 4.
This is the 13th GSE of the Supermalls nationwide, and can accommodate 400 clients in the 530 square-meter area offered for free to the city government, through the Bacolod Express Service Office (BESO), and other partner-agencies, like the Philippine Statistics Authority, police, and Philpost, May Castro, SM Bacolod public relations manager, said.
Frances Mae Llamas of the Bacolod Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions said that initially, BESO will serve 100 clients per day at the GSE, through a numbering scheme, Monday to Friday, with no-noon break.
But the number can go up to 200 to 250, depending on the volume of transactions and processing time, Llamas told reporters prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, adding that they are also planning to open on weekends soon.
“We will study the foot traffic or the number of clients coming in…we hope that we can serve about a thousand clients in a month’s time,” she added.
Llamas said that 12 counters are now ready to serve the public, including one manned by the Department of Trade and Industry personnel for business name registration, another for zoning certification, the Office of the Building Official for business permits, the Bureau of Fire Protection for fire safety inspection certificates;
City Health Office for health ID and sanitation clearance, the Business Permit and Licensing Office for business permits and other services, the Department of Social Services and Development for senior citizens ID and possibly pension, the Local Civil Registrar for document requests, counters 9 and 10 for City Treasurer’s Office License Division assessment and payment, and counters 11 and 12 for CTO Land Division assessment and payment.
The BESO at GSE is in line with Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez’s digitalization and inclusion agenda in bringing government services closer to the people, Llamas said. “This is one access point for government services that should be easy, convenient, and comfortable.”/CGC
