BAGUIO CITY(PIA) – In continuing efforts to deliver  efficient government services, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) conducted a town hall meeting and orientation on  Barangay Ease of Doing Business(EODB) in Baguio City on Tuesday, April 23.

The first to be held in Northern Luzon, the activity was participated by LGUs in Metro Baguio namely Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay(BLISTT).

The ARTA Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting and EODB orientation, aims to raise awareness among local government units on Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business law, and  promoting its use as a driver of community development.

The orientation highlighted bureaucratic efficiency under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 8-point socioeconomic agenda.

ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez  said that under bureaucratic efficiency agenda, the President has directed  all government services to be streamlined and digitalized.  This  is the best way to fight red tape and corruption.

“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa lahat na pinagbigyan ninyo ang aming kahilingan na magkasama sama tayo ngayong umaga upang direkta naming ipaalam sa inyo yung mga program at inisyatibo na Ease of Doing Business Law to promote the bureaucratic efficiency as one of the 8-point socioeconomic agenda of the Marcos administration. Ang direktiba po ng ating mahal na Pangulo is for all government processes to be streamlined and digitalized which is the best way to fight red tape and corruption,” Perez said.

[I am thankful for everyone for giving us this opportunity so that we can directly share with you the program and initiative  of Ease of Doing Business Law to promote the bureaucratic efficiency as one of the 8-point socioeconomic agenda of the Marcos Administration. The directives of our President is for all government processes to be streamlined and digitalized, which is the best way to fight red tape and corruption]

Perez also challenged everyone to help in the implementation of the programs of the government.

“Ang ating pong bansa ay kailangang kailangan na talagang kumilos ng mas mabilis upang atin pong ipatupad yung magagandang programa ng ating gobyerno kasi kung hindi po tayo kumilos ng mabilis napag iwan na po tayong ng ating neighboring countries,” he said.

[Our country needs to work fast to implement the good programs of our government because if we don’t work fast, we will be left behind by our neighboring countries.]

Department of Information and Communications Technology – CAR Regional Director Reynaldo Sy assured the DICT’s support to the local government units in complying with the EODB Law through the infusion of digital technologies and bringing in internet connectivity.

Department of the Interior and Local Government -CAR Regional Director  Araceli San Jose also affirmed their support in empowering Cordillera LGUs  to be  compliant with the  EODB law.

“ On our part at the DILG, we remain true to our commitment to ensure that LGUs are capacitated and compliant in the implementation of our EOB law. We have our heart in this direction because we value a shared vision of our LGUs in their thrust towards holistic development,” San Jose said.

Tublay Mayor Armando I. Lauro  assured the LGUs’ continuous support to the national government’s goal of  digitizing and streamlining services down to the barangays.

Also sharing  their messages are ARTA Undersecretaries Gerald G. Divinagracia and Ricojudge Janvier M. Echiverri. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)