Section 24Sec./Art. 24

Removing Barriers to Innovation. The NIC and its member government agencies shall eliminate regulatory barriers to innovation and cut red tape to boost innovation efforts. Towards this end, the NIC shall facilitate consultations with stakeholders to identify and cause the removal of barriers in accelerating innovation efforts, such as procurement rules and regulations, and to align efforts and enhance collaboration.

Government agencies and all LGUs shall hereby improve efficiencies in addressing public transactions that impact on innovation, including reducing the number of days and costs of starting or expanding a business.

Government agencies and LGUs shall undertake reforms in their systems and processes to ensure that applications for starting a business and renewal of business licenses are processed within three (3) working days from the time the application is received. The processing of other government permits and clearances, as well as application for patents, shall likewise be streamlined towards ensuring business environment that fosters innovation.

For this purpose, the NIC shall develop and prescribe guidelines towards streamlining and improving the countrys performance in key indicators that will facilitate and promote innovation. The NIC shall identify these indicators for purposes of issuing the guidelines and monitoring its strict implementation.