By Lilian Mellejor/PNA
DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday reiterated his commitment to fully implement the law on “Ease of Doing Business” to prevent corruption in government.
“Corruption in government is not acceptable to me,” President Duterte stressed in his speech during the kickoff event for the construction of the PHP12-billion Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project in Barangay Gumalang, Baguio District here.
The President said he has repeatedly made himself clear on his policy against corruption, as he announced another undersecretary would be sacked again when he goes back to Manila.
Duterte called on all government agencies to ensure compliance so that projects such as the water bulk project will not be delayed or caught up in the processing of permits and clearances.
He also asked the public to be assertive for corruption to stop, noting that irregularities often exist because there is no complaint. The President said the public can now take advantage of the mechanisms in place to report corruption.
Last month, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) submitted the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 (EODB) to the President.
The EODB aims to fast-track transactions with the government through streamlining of processes and reducing processing time in all government agencies, local government units, and government-owned and controlled corporations.
Under the law’s “3-7-20 rule”, all government agencies must complete the simple transaction within three working days, seven working days for complex transactions, and 20 working days for highly technical transactions.
Employees who fail to comply with the “3-7-20 rule” would be suspended for six months, and dismissal from service for second offense.
