The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine’s National Single Window (NSW) consider the efforts of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as best practice in government institutions in the processing of licenses and permits.
In a letter from the Philippine National Single Window dated August 31, 2011, Sally Alvareda, Change Management and Implementation Manager said that “DTI agencies such as [the] Board of Investment (BOI), Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), and Bureau of Import Services are admiring the PDEA Compliance Service (PDEA-CS)” in view of the high-client satisfaction brought about by the relatively hassle-free and short period required in processing and approval of licenses and permits.
She added that under the “leadership of [DTI] Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, [the Department] would like to adopt best practices” from other government instrumentalities applicable to DTI agencies.
“We appreciate that the DTI and NSW expressed satisfaction on the processes adopted by the Agency in issuing licenses and permits to industry partners, medical practitioners, pharmaceutical companies, suppliers and retailers,” said PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez Jr.
Aside from its law enforcement mandate, PDEA also functions as a operational regulatory enforcement body through its Compliance Service (CS) under Director Helen Maita E. Reyes.
PDEA-CS takes charge of monitoring movements of controlled substances to prevent diversion. It issues permits and licenses to industry partners, medical practitioners, pharmaceutical companies, suppliers and retailers engaged in the importation, distribution, manufacture, prescription, dispensing and selling dangerous drugs and essential chemicals.
PDEA started automating its license processing as early as February 2008. In the last quarter of the 2010, PDEA, in accordance with Executive Order 482, implemented the NSW system in the processing and approval of licenses and permits to clients. The computerized internet-based system permits government agencies and clients to transact business by logging-in and sending information and documents using a single entry point to accomplish all regulatory requirements. A total of 30 government agencies, including PDEA, are currently implementing the NSW system.
At present, only first time applicants are required to personally appear at the PDEA Office while clients who wish to renew licenses or permits may do their transaction with PDEA on-line. The PDEA Compliance Service processes and approves an average of 2,183 applications monthly. Evangeline Almenario, Chief, Public Information Office, PDEA
