MANILA, (PIA) — The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) celebrated its sixth anniversary on Friday, touting a near-perfect resolution rate for complaints filed through the government hotline.
ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez reported a 98.45 percent resolution rate for complaints lodged with the Presidential Hotline 8888. He emphasized ARTA’s commitment to eliminating red tape, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive of a “from Red Tape to Red Carpet” approach.
“No Filipino should be left behind because of bureaucratic red tape,” Perez said. “We will continue to embark on bold measures to ensure the ease of doing business.”
ARTA, established in 2018 under Republic Act 11032, aims to streamline government processes and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles.
During the anniversary event themed “Katuwang sa Isang Layunin para sa Bagong Pilipinas” (Partnering for One Goal for a New Philippines), ARTA Deputy Director-General Gerard Divinagracia highlighted the agency’s achievements.
“We are mandated to transform the Red Tape into Red Carpet,” Divinagracia said. “We’ve achieved transformative changes to create a more efficient environment through innovation.”
ARTA outlined several initiatives undertaken in the past year, including:
- Streamlining government services: Collaboration with the private sector like the “Pinas Bilis” project with Aboitiz Group and the e-Boss online platform through Smart Communications.
- Digitalization: Executive Order 32 streamlining the permitting process for information technology projects.
Local Government Unit (LGU) reforms: Executive Order 41 prohibiting LGUs from imposing fees on vehicles passing through their boundaries. - Innovation: Launching the Green Lane for Innovations to expedite permits for innovative projects.
- Training: Implementing a modern learning system for government personnel to improve service delivery.
- Inter-agency collaboration: Working with PhilHealth, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to streamline healthcare and donation processes.
ARTA also announced its plans to ensure nationwide implementation of the ease of doing business initiatives, with a focus on LGUs adopting online systems and eliminating unnecessary delays.
“We owe it to every citizen to create a system that serves the people with respect and urgency,” Perez concluded. (PIA-NCR)
