MANILA — The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and Smart Communications (Smart) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on 17 September 2024 that provided additional support to the PaspasPilipinasPaspas Project, which aids Local Government Units (LGUs) in establishing and operating their own electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS).
Through this MOA, Smart committed to provide 100 computer units—50 desktop and 50 laptops—to selected LGUs nationwide for the setting up and operation of their respective eBOSS.
In the signing, ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez expressed gratitude to Smart for the continued support to government efforts that improve the ease of doing business in the country saying, “We extend our deepest gratitude to SMART for trusting ARTA in forging this partnership.”
“SMART has been one of our most valuable partners in this endeavor, actively participating in collaborative meetings and helping shape policies and guidelines that ensure the efficient deployment of telecommunications towers,” the ARTA Chief added.
Section 11 of Republic Act (RA) No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Law, directs all cities and municipalities to automate their business permitting and licensing systems or set up an eBOSS for more efficient business registration processes.
Moreover, Smart Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Manuel V. Pangilinan reaffirmed their commitment to continuously support the administration’s projects by saying, “I would like to reaffirm, in behalf of PLDT-Smart and the MVP Group, our commitment to you (ARTA) and our support to the Marcos administration.”
“I am hopeful that this initiative today is only the first of many others that we can work together with ARTA. We are looking forward to a productive and long-term partnership with you in ARTA,” he added.
ARTA executives, including Undersecretary for Operations Gerald G. Divinagracia, Undersecretary for Administration and Finance Ricojudge Janvier M. Echiverri, Compliance Monitoring and Evaluation Office (CMEO) Director Grace L. Fernandez, and Legal and Public Assistance Office (LPAO) Director Leonardo Tapia, attended the signing ceremony.
Smart Chief Legal Counsel Marilyn V. Aquino, Joint Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs Department Head Pamela Felizarta, Head of Network Butch G. Jimenez, Regulatory Affairs Department Head Roy Ibay, Deputy Chief Legal Counsel Joan Devenecia-Fabul, Office of the Chairman Group Head Debbie Tan, Legal Group Head Jing Barreto, Stakeholders Management Center Head Stephanie V. Orlino, Program and Project Management Office Head Menchie Quinal, and Network Budget and Governance Group Head Sharon Rivadelo were also present.
Following a whole-of-nation approach in the process of eliminating red tape, ARTA together with its private sector partners will continue to push streamlining efforts through digitalization with the PaspasPilipinasPaspas Project in the Bagong Pilipinas. (ARTA)
