The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is stepping up its efforts to enhance public service efficiency and eradicate bureaucratic hurdles through digital transformation, as announced by ARTA Director General Ernesto Perez during a performance review on PTV-4’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on January 27, 2025. Perez emphasized the agency’s commitment to implementing Executive Order 32, which has drastically cut down the time needed for telecom companies to activate towers from 255-300 days to just 59 days since its signing by President Ferdinand R. Marcos on July 5, 2023. This initiative has led to a significant increase in permit issuance, with 9,062 permits granted by May 2024, a 50% rise from the 6,117 issued in May 2022. Perez stressed the importance of improving internet connectivity as a key strategy to fight red tape, aligning with the President’s directive to streamline all government processes digitally. To further this goal at the local level, the government is pushing forward with the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS), mandated by the Ease of Doing Business Law, to simplify the application and issuance of business licenses and permits. As of December 2024, 113 local government units (LGUs) across the country, including all Metro Manila cities except Pateros, have been confirmed as eBOSS-compliant. ARTA, in collaboration with the Presidential Communications Office, has conducted extensive outreach, including 51 town hall meetings and inspections of 1,042 agencies, to ensure adherence to anti-red tape policies. Additionally, the agency has trained over 30 government bodies and introduced the Anti-Red Tape Electronic Management Information System (ARTEMIS) to digitize Citizen’s Charters. In a move to enhance complaint handling, ARTA launched the Electronic Complaints Management System (ECMS) in December 2024, which uses AI to manage complaints around the clock, with full rollout planned for the third quarter of 2025. Perez underscored the necessity of AI in monitoring complaint statuses effectively. ARTA is also intensifying its fight against corruption and fixers, working closely with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). Notable improvements have been observed in agencies like the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Social Security System (SSS). Perez warned against practices such as cut-off times that hinder service delivery, reinforcing ARTA’s strict policy against non-compliance. Looking ahead, ARTA aims to make the Philippines more attractive to businesses through initiatives like the Philippine Business Regulation Information System (PBRIS) and the Philippine Competitiveness Dashboard. An upcoming Ease of Doing Business Economic Briefing on February 6 will further discuss reforms to draw foreign investments, signaling the country’s readiness for business.
ARTA Ramps Up Digital Initiatives to Combat Bureaucratic Delays
·
