Anti-Red Tape Authority
Sec. Jeremiah B. Belgica
We at the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) would like to join the numerous government officials who have expressed support for Senate Bill [SB No.] 1764 or the proposed Use of Digital Payments Act authored by Senator Sonny Angara.
SB 1764 mandates the use of digital payment in the collection of taxes, fees, tolls, imposes, and other revenues, and in the payment of goods, services, and other disbursements. Through this measure, government payments such as cash aid will also be directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
With ARTA’s goal to streamline, reengineer, and automate government systems, we have long been pushing for the use of digital payments.
This Senate bill is in line with our mandate to improve the ease of doing business and delivery of government services in the country. It is also in accordance with our vision of a highly efficient and technology-enabled Philippine government.
No less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been advocating for our transition to e-governance. We believe that digital payments are an important requirement for its realization.
Digital payments are also one of the main requirements for some of the Authority’s projects like the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) and the Central Business Portal.
Many Filipinos have enjoyed the safety and convenience of making payments online. We hope that our respected lawmakers share our vision and pass this measure into law. (ARTA) – jlo