The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recorded the highest number of public complaints among national government agencies (NGAs) this year, followed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Social Security System (SSS) for government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), according to updated rankings released by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) covering Jan. 1 to Oct. 31, 2025.
ARTA reported that the FDA topped all NGAs with 599 complaints, mostly involving delays and failures to act within the prescribed processing time under the Ease of Doing Business law. The LTO followed with 414 complaints, while the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) placed third with 336.
Among GOCCs, the SSS led with 269 complaints, ahead of the Pag-IBIG Fund with 134 and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) with 35. ARTA clarified that these latest figures are the official updated ranking, superseding data previously submitted to Congress and reported by media, which were based only until Aug. 31.
Following the FDA, LTO and BIR, the rest of the Top 10 NGAs with the most complaints are the Philippine Statistics Authority, Land Registration Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Department of Foreign Affairs, Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bureau of Customs.
Behind SSS, Pag-IBIG and the BSP, the remaining GOCCs in the Top 10 are the Government Service Insurance System, PhilHealth, PhilPost, National Housing Authority, Land Bank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. GOCC data reflect only complaints received in the National Capital Region.
The complaints were filed through ARTA’s various channels, including email, social media platforms, the Public Assistance and Complaints Desk, physical mail, the electronic Complaints Management System and the ARTA website.
ARTA reported receiving 31,936 complaints since 2018, with 31,679, or nearly 92 percent, already resolved as of Oct. 31. A total of 257 complaints remain active.
The agency said the rankings are not a measure of agency competence but serve as indicators of issues raised by citizens. The numbers may change as cases are closed or endorsed to the proper offices.
ARTA noted that the complaint rankings highlight challenges that must be resolved and demonstrate that grievance mechanisms are functioning and accessible. The agency warned that red tape often creates opportunities for corruption and undermines public trust.
ARTA said it remains ready to assist agencies through streamlining, digitalization and improved complaint-handling systems, urging government offices and GOCCs to step up efforts to improve frontline services and deliver “dignified, people-centered” service in line with the Bagong Pilipinas governance agenda.
