By Jenny Ortuoste
Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director-General Atty. Jeremiah Belgica warned “pasaway” or habitual violators of anti-red tape laws that they face serious penalties if they fail to comply.
In an exclusive interview today (April 19) with PTV News on “Rise and Shine Pilipinas,” Belgica said that while there are many operational concerns that they have to resolve, they are going after anti-red-tape law violators as well as finding solutions that government agencies can use to reduce red tape.
“Totoo pong may ilang nakikita na pasaway, kaya…hinahanda na rin nating ang kaso, ‘yung iba kinakasuhan na natin,” Belgica said.
[It’s true we see some habitual violators, that is why we are preparing cases, while we have filed charges against others.]
“Pero more than that, tinutulungan po natin ang mga ahensiya na mag-streamline ng kanilang mga proseso at mag-automate, lalo na po sa mga bagay at gamot na may kinalaman sa paglunas ng COVID-19.”
[But more than that, we are helping government agencies streamline their processes and automate them, particularly with regard to those things and medicines that are related to treating COVID-19].
Common red tape complaints
Belgica explained that his office receives two common types of red-tape-related complaints: first, when documents are not acted on right away, or left to “sleep” in government offices; and second, those related to systemic problems, such as redundant processes that may be a result of a law or rule, or of office processes that need to be improved.
He added that applications and other requests for services need to be acted upon within the time prescribed, which may be three, seven, or 21 days, depending on the nature of the transaction.
The ARTA head warned that violators face severe penalties, including suspension, charges, and removal from their job.
ARTA champions
Belgica revealed that there are private sector volunteers helping ARTA uncover instances of red tape in government offices, in line with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the government’s campaign against red tape.
He said these “ARTA champions” have important roles to fulfill, and they report directly to ARTA.
“Sila’y sumasailalim sa masusing training para matuto sila na maging mata at tenga – force multiplier, katulad ng sinasabi, para makapagsumbong naman sa atin, dahil ang problema ng red tape ay unang nabibiktima talaga diyan ang mga taong bayan,” he said.
[They undergo intensive training to learn how to be our eyes and ears, as force multipliers, as it is said, so they can report to us, because in red tape problems, the first victims are the people.]
“So we need to arm the people how to fight or push back against abuses. ‘Yan po ang first line of defense natin. Pwede ring lumapit sa kanila ang kapwa nilang private citizen, para malaman ang karapatan nila sa batas at kung paanong dumulog sa ARTA,” Belgica added.
[That’s our first line of defense. Private citizens may also approach them to find out what their rights are under the law, and how to reach ARTA.]
Belgica also said that among the organizations helping ARTA in this regard are the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries, and an association of real estate developers with a nationwide network.
Mobile application vs. red tape
Belgica reported that they are close to releasing the ARTA “Go Smart” app that automates almost 20 services of local government units (LGUs).
“[This app] harmonizes existing software of the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) for the LGUs, like business processing and licensing systems, electronic processing and licensing systems, and integrated building permit systems,” he said.
This would make filing new applications, renewals, and paying “amillar” (property tax) easier and more convenient.
The ARTA chief said that after cybersecurity and data privacy clearances are obtained for the app, it might be ready for rollout “within a few weeks’ time.”
Illegal collection of pass-through fees
Belgica announced that ARTA, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Finance will issue a joint memorandum circular on April 22 prohibiting the collection of pass-through fees collected by LGUs from logistics companies whose transport vehicles pass through their areas.
These fees, he said, burden “logistics supplies passing on public highways.
Hindi po pu-pwede ang ganitong proseso, na matagal na pong mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ng DILG [These processes are not allowed, and the DILG has been strictly forbidding them for a long time],” he said. – jlo
