THE Bureau of Immigration passed the anti-red tape act (ARTA) test conducted by the Civil Service Commission, aimed at ridding government agencies of cumbersome document processing that usually causes graft and corruption.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that a CSC team conducted the compliance test at the BI main office in Intramuros by observing how the bureau’s frontline transactions were done.
“After the inspection, the CSC team reported that it found the BI compliant with the requirements provided under the ARTA,” Morente said.
CSC-Manila field office Director Eva Omedillo was also said to have lauded the BI for consistently passing the test through its acquiescence to the provisions of ARTA and the BI citizen’s charter.
It was learned that the CSC conducts the inspection of all government agencies every year to check the latter’s compliance with the anti-red tape act.
A committee on good governance under the office of the BI commissioner monitors the strict implementation of various initiatives and programs such as a citizen’s charter and a feedback mechanism that acts on complaints and suggestions from the public.
The BI’s ranking in the CSC report card was apparently bolstered by its recent move to drastically cut the processing time and documentary requirements for 16 frontline services at the bureau.
A technical working group formed by Morente when he assumed office last July recommended the adoption of the new timeline and requirements which are now being implemented at the BI main office and in all of its field, satellite and extension offices.
The move was in compliance with President Duterte’s directive to all government agencies to eliminate red tape which has been a major source of complaints from the transacting public.
Thousands of foreigners and Filipinos troop daily to the different BI field offices to avail of its services, including tourist visa extensions, alien registration, ACR I-Card issuance, amendment or correction of admission status, and dual citizenship petitions.