THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) has ordered all national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to automatically approve or extend transactions that remain pending beyond the prescribed processing time.

“You are directed to submit a report before March 7, 2020, of all application, request, license, certification, permit, clearance or authorization which will be issued by your agency in compliance with this circular,” said Arta Director General Jeremiah Belgica in a memorandum circular.

Belgica said Arta shall conduct a random post-audit to verify their compliance to the circular starting March 7.

He said this initiative is in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, prescribing the three-seven-20 day processing time.

All applications or requests shall be acted upon not longer than three working days in the case of simple transactions, seven working days for complex transactions and 20 working days for highly technical transactions which are pending beyond prescribed processing time, he added.

Belgica cited provisions of the law which grant automatic approval or automatic extension of license, clearance, permit, certification or authorization.

He said an original application or request shall be deemed approved if a government office or agency fails to approve or disapprove within the prescribed processing time, provided that all required documents have been submitted and all required fees and charges have been paid.

A license, clearance, permit or certification or authorization shall automatically be extended if a government office or agency fails to act on an application for renewal within the prescribed processing time, he added. Philexport News and Features