The release of over 35,000 permits has been expedited with the help of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) as of June 2021.
Data from the ARTA showed has expedited the release of at least 35,146 pending permits. This is in line with the ARTA’s commitment to fight corruption in government through streamlining and the eradication of red tape.
These figures include the 8,510 permits; license; clearance; and certifications, which were automatically approved or released by numerous government agencies from July 2019 to June.
The ARTA also launched its flagship National Effort for Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Inter-related Agencies (Nehemia) Program that aims to reduce the processes, requirements, and processing time by 52 percent for five priority sectors.
This is also in line with ARTA’s belief that more efficient services can be achieved through collaboration and innovation.
Among the five priority sectors is the telecommunications sector. In July 2020, the ARTA, along with key agencies, signed a joint memorandum circular to streamline the permitting process for telecommunications towers.
This has led to the release of 26,636 pending permits in the telecommunications sector, as of June 2021. Of this number, 3,090 are from DITO Telco; 21,689 are from PLDT/Smart; and 1,857 are from Globe.
The ARTA has also acted upon at least 1,178 complaints on violations of Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 from December 2019 to June.
Of this number, 235 complaints are undergoing investigation, 537 have been resolved, and the rest are being reviewed. The agency has also forwarded 5,630 non-anti-red tape-related complaints to appropriate agencies.
The ARTA has also filed at least 528 cases and counts against RA11032 offenders, as of June 2021.
This number includes eight that were filed before the Civil Service Commission, 511 before the Office of the Ombudsman, three before the Office of the President, and six before the courts and prosecutor’s office.
Sec. Jeremiah Belgica, ARTA director-general, recently vowed to intensify the agency’s anti-fixer operations.
From May to June, a total of 11 fixers fell in six entrapments launched by ARTA, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and other concerned agencies.
Belgica said he believes streamlining government systems will pave the way to ridding the country of red tape and significantly lessening corruption in the government.
One of the main targets of the ARTA is to streamline and eventually automate government processes.
In accordance with RA 11032, the ARTA directed all local government units to set up their electronic Business One-Stop Shops (eBOSS).
As of June, at least 580 LGUs have set up their eBOSS.
Belgica believes this is because of the “strong push of the President to streamline and automate their business permit and licensing systems.”
All these initiatives have led to the improved ranking of the Philippines in the World Bank’s annual Doing Business study. From 124th place in 2019, the country jumped 29 notches landing on the 95th spot in 2020. – Press release
April 26, 2024
