Arta, PNP intensify joint crackdown vs gov’t office fixers
MANILA, Philippines -The Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) has set its sights on fixers as part of its latest drive to improve ease of doing business in the Philippines, partnering with the police to foil criminals operating across different government offices.
On Monday, Arta said it had discussed with the Philippine National Police-Criminal and Investigation Group (PNP-CIDG) the drafting of an enhanced memorandum of agreement (MOA) to cooperate in the enforcement of its mandate under Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
“The PNP-CIDG has been Arta’s partner in enforcing the law. We are glad to have them fully onboard in the administration’s continuing campaign against ease of business [obstacles] and antired tape violators,” Arta Secretary Ernesto Perez said.
The PNP-CIDG currently assists Arta in conducting investigations and entrapment operations against alleged fixers and suspected government employees who are in collusion with those fixers.
In a press statement, Arta said that both parties had agreed to closely coordinate to fast-track the MOA finalization, which would outline “more simplified procedures in their operations plan.”
Streamlining the bureaucracy
Bongbong Marcos: Let’s streamline our bureaucracy
The antired tape body said that President Marcos had given directives to streamline lengthy bureaucratic processes and eliminate fixers at government premises.
Arta is currently on a massive campaign to ensure that local government units (LGUs) would have a functional electronic business one-stop shops (eBOSS).
3 more cities comply with digital biz hub requirement
Earlier this month, Perez said that 506 out of 1,634 of all LGUs had been able to automate their business permitting process.
Arta has recently partnered with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), as well as with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Interior and Local Government to train LGUs in establishing and operating their own respective eBOSS.
The Meralco partnership also saw the distribution of 500 desktop computers and other computer hardware to 166 LGUs to help them set up their own eBOSS. INQ
