Administration senators have endorsed a proposed law that will authorize President Rodrigo Duterte to expedite the processing of government documents like licenses and permits.
Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri sponsored Senate Bill 1844, “An Act Authorizing the President to Expedite the Processing of Permits, Licenses and Certification” in case of a national emergency.
Zubiri says it is hurting to see that red tape still proliferates despite the pandemic, and that Duterte is dismayed by it.
The measure will also grant powers beyond telecommunications, which is considered important as industries begin their road to recovery.
“We will need to streamline and expedite the process for the issuance of local and national permits, licenses and certifications to help us all transition,” Zubiri said.
He made his statement even as Rep. Florida Robes pushed for a pre-audit system in the disbursement of public funds to stop graft and leakages in government funds.
In House Bill 7124, Robes says a pre-audit system, in which transactions and contracts are reviewed before public funds are released, will ensure that government funds are not lost to graft and corruption, plunder or leakage.
Senator Christopher Go, co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1844, said red tape and corruption had been perennial problems and the President was exasperated.
“We have to take radical steps to cut corruption and simplify the requirements and steps in doing business in our country,” Go said.
He noted that Duterte was clear in his message and had built his administration on a strict anti-corruption stand.
Much still needs to be done, but Go says the government has made progress in its fight against red tape. He then urged the Filipino people to help the government by reporting any wrongdoings and filing appropriate complaints against erring government officials.
“Where you see opportunistic public officials, file complaints. Point them out to us and we will see to it that they are held accountable,” he said.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa said the measure would improve the bureaucratic process in the country.
“This is an apt and timely measure that could improve the bureaucratic processes of our country, improve the delivery of services and lessen the burden of our kababayans in dealing with the government during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dela Rosa said.
He says the “complexity of the bureaucratic process leads to corruption,” which adds much burden to the people.
He says the Duterte Administration is resolute not only in resolving corruption in the government but also in penalizing erring civil servants from the national level down to the local government units.
“The elimination of corruption remains the chief priority of the Duterte administration. President Duterte has always been adamant in his stance against corrupt government officials and employees. There is a relentless effort of the administration to put up the significant mechanisms in order to end corruption in the government, from the national government down to the local government units,” Dela Rosa said.
“We are living in difficult times, and I join the frustration of President Duterte. Corruption still plagues the country, and we must not stop fighting it.”
