Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is urging more government agencies to do their part in easing compliance requirements for small entrepreneurs and helping them grow their businesses following the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) suspension of the mandatory online display of its Registration Seal Badge.
“A business does not have to be big to matter. If it keeps a child in school or a family out of debt, it is doing something worthwhile,” Cayetano said.
“Our goal is to help them grow within the formal economy.”
“We should help, not hamper, these entrepreneurs. Our goal is to help them grow within the formal economy,” the veteran legislator added.
The seasoned lawmaker welcomed the BIR’s decision to suspend the requirement for online sellers and content creators until further notice while it reviews privacy and technical concerns.
However, the senator said more can be done for the many small enterprises, including those in the informal sector, who help keep the country going.
He called for better coordination among government agencies to simplify government procedures and reduce the time entrepreneurs spend complying with requirements.
Cayetano added that government agencies must create an environment where small businesses can operate with confidence and pursue opportunities for growth.
“Some small sellers want only a dependable livelihood. Others hope to expand and employ people. Both deserve a fair chance. Our people are already making the effort. Let us help that effort bear fruit,” he said.
“This requires a whole-of-government effort. Better coordination can save people time while protecting consumers, personal information, and public revenues,” Cayetano added.
He also thanked online sellers, content creators, and other stakeholders who raised concerns about the policy, including Senator Pia Cayetano.
“This is how we should work together,” Cayetano said. “The lesson is simple: listen to the people who deal with these requirements every day. Their experience can help us get policies right. Seeing their concerns addressed also builds trust.”
“With sound policies and institutions they can rely on, that resourcefulness can help them build a better future,” he added.
