The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) vowed to suppress “red tape” within various agencies following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to streamline the ease of doing business in the government.
ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez echoed the President’s sentiments to put a stop to red tape activities during a Saturday news forum in Quezon City.
“So, we quote of course our president when he said that recently that in whatever government offices, red tape must be replaced with red carpet,” Perez said.
“This is to highlight the importance of attracting investors and encouraging existing investors to expand because to have an enabling business environment we have to lay the groundwork to convince business people that in the Philippines we have the Ease-of-Doing Business,” he added.
Perez explained the streamlining of the business processes in the country would be the best answer to halt red tape activities in the government.
“The best way really to battle red tape is this way, hindi na po kailangan ang fixer, hindi na po kailangan ang padrino, kilala sa agency,” Perez stressed.
“Because the law assures that anyone may pending application with any government agency as long as all the requirements and fees have been paid, that agency is mandated to act on it within the standard processing time declared in their citizen’s charter subject to penalty under section 21 of the law,” he continued.
Moreover, Perez assured the public of cooperation with various agencies to effectively implement the President’s order.
In July last year, President Marcos signed Executive Order No. 32 outlining the directive.
This streamlined effort was first initiated during the 2020 pandemic through a Joint Memorandum Circular. Perez mentioned plans to expand these efforts to other sectors.