Securing a business permit in the Philippines has been synonymous with long lines, opaque processes, and an overreliance on intermediaries. It’s a system that has shaped not just transactions, but public perception — where bureaucracy is often seen as something to endure rather than trust.
In Quezon City, that narrative is being steadily rewritten.
At the center of this shift is the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD), which quietly overhauled one of the most fundamental touchpoints between government and enterprise. Its efforts recently earned them recognition at the 2026 Asia Pacific Stevie Awards, including a People’s Choice Award — a distinction that, for a government office, carries a different kind of weight.
“This recognition shows that our stakeholders — the business community of Quezon City — trust the Business Permits and Licensing Department when it comes to regulatory processes,” said QCBPLD Head Ma. Margarita “Margie” Santos-Mejia in an exclusive interview with adobo Magazine.
She continued, “We have been recognized as one of the most business-friendly cities in the Philippines, and a major contributor to that is how we transformed our permitting system. It is not just about permits; we have improved other regulatory functions as well. We are truly happy because being chosen as a People’s Choice Awardee is very meaningful. It inspires us to continue improving and to serve our business community even better in Quezon City.”
Margie also indicated that they transformed QC’s business permitting and licensing processes into a 100% digital system. This means there is no longer a need to go to Quezon City Hall to secure permits. Applications can now be done online, right from the comfort of one’s home.
“As long as you have an internet connection, you can apply for and process your business permits without physically going to City Hall,” Margie added.
But the transformation goes beyond convenience. It signals a shift in how the government sees its role: not as gatekeeper, but as enabler.
Margie underscored that removing intermediaries from the process is one of the most important innovations of their department. Business permits are now issued directly to applicants through email and delivered straight to business establishments free of charge.
“We have gone beyond the provisions of the Ease of Doing Business Law. Our goal is to give stakeholders more reasons to stay and do business in Quezon City, and to position the city as a destination of choice for investors,” she said.
Moreover, Margie said that securing permits for MSMEs is now easier with their digital transformation where every “turnaround time in their physical one-stop shop is now as fast as one minute, supported by an efficient queuing system.”
“We have also improved the customer experience. Our business one-stop shop is designed to be welcoming and professional, with amenities that make the process more comfortable for clients,” Margie added, highlighting that “a year-on-year increase in the number of registered businesses in Quezon City” has been recorded ever since the digital transformation was enacted.
Margie also said that more entrepreneurs have been encouraged to formalize their businesses and contribute taxes, knowing the process is now simple and efficient.
Beyond compliance
While digitalization is often framed as a technical upgrade, in Quezon City, it has become an enabler of broader institutional change.
The BPLD is currently developing a unified automated inspection system that will integrate regulatory processes across departments into a single portal. The goal is to reduce redundancy and make compliance less fragmented for businesses.
Alongside this is the introduction of a risk-based classification system — an approach that tailors regulation according to the level of risk a business poses. It’s a move that reflects a more nuanced understanding of governance: that not all businesses should be regulated in the same way, and policy can be both firm and flexible.
Taken together, these initiatives suggest an administration that does not merely digitize existing processes but rethinks them altogether.
Ultimately, Margie believes that the work is far from over. If anything, recognition has raised the stakes.
“We will continue innovating. Not just within our department, but across the city. Our goal is to provide services that truly respond to people’s needs and help uplift their lives,” she said.
“Our commitment is to keep providing services that respond to the needs of Quezon City residents and businesses, and ultimately help improve their quality of life,” Margie concluded.
adobo Magazine is the official media partner of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.
READ MORE:
Grand Stevie Winners announced in 2026 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards
