Hagåtña, Guam – In line with recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force to Reform Government Permitting Procedures, the Business License and Permit Center (BLPC), formerly known as the One Stop Center, is improving its hours and services. Effective today, each agency housed at the Upper Tumon site is open for business on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Previously, agency hours were staggered due to staff availability. By April 2020, all agencies at the BLPC will be open five days a week.
In February 2019, the Governor’s Task Force to Reform Government Permitting Procedures was formed to review government permitting procedures to identify opportunities for reform. Their immediate recommendations included restoring the One Stop Center, digitizing application forms, and establishing an applicant feedback program to gauge customer experience.
In line with these recommendations, the BLPC will launch an online application process for certain types of licenses by the end of the year. The BLPC can also receive questions, comments, and concerns via a comment box on-site or via email at blpc@dpw.guam.gov. Critical information can also be found on the BLPC’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), available online at http://dpw.guam.gov/blpc/.
“This progress shows more than cooperation amongst our agencies, but also their commitment to doing good work for the people of Guam by implementing the recommendations from our Task Force to Reform Government Permitting Procedures. Forging a prosperous future starts with building and sustaining all current and future business owners, developers, and investors–both here at home and abroad. We continue to focus on customer service and efficiency utilizing technology and online resources,” said Acting Governor Joshua Tenorio, who visited the BLPC on Monday afternoon.
The task force was led by Guam Trades Academy Education Director Bert Johnston and University of Guam Assistant Professor of Public Administration John J. Rivera, PhD. Members included Senior Business Advisor and Bank of Guam Women in Business Program Coordinator Denise Mendiola, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Contracting Officer Jenais L.G. Guerrero, and Attorney Patrick Sherman.
“I want to thank our task force members for their thorough review of our business license and permit process. This is only the beginning as we work towards implementing their remaining recommendations,” added Acting Governor Tenorio.
The BLPC is located at the Department of Public Works (DPW). It is comprised of the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Department of Land Management, DPW,
Department of Revenue & Taxation (Business License, Collections, Real Property branches), Guam Environmental Protection Agency, Guam Fire Department, and a Treasurer of Guam cashier. All six agencies are open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit http://dpw.guam.gov/blpc/.