In Cabuyao Laguna, it once took up to three days to secure local permits. This tiresome process enriched many free-lancing individuals who secured permits for applicants in exchange for exorbitant fees. In local lingo, they are called “fixers.”

      When the local government realized that the system was causing poor collections, it quickly formed a committee to look into the system. Apparently, the problem was that papers were being passed from one municipal office to another; all of which were located a significant distance from each other. The solution was to eliminate the old practice of physically transporting documents and adopt a management system that would allow speedier coordination among the various parties granting authorization in the process. The committee proceeded to design a program, in coordination with agencies such as the Social Security System. When all was ready, the One-Stop-Shop was established.

      This One-Stop-Shop made it possible to process a business permit in only 30 minutes. The applicant can spend those thirty minutes waiting in an air-conditioned room, drinking coffee or tea while watching cable television. Shortly after, the municipality’s tax collection grew by 149.5% over the previous years. Cabuyao has occupied the top tax collector position in Laguna for the two years in a row now.