THE country’s business community hailed newly-installed President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to members of his cabinet to cut red tape and promote ease of doing business in the country.
Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) chair, Vicente Lao in a text message to Sun.Star Davao, said that Duterte made it clear in his inaugural speech that his policy direction for the next six years is to make business sustainable under his administration.
“We are happy that the President gave a lot of emphasis to eliminate red tape in government transaction and to stop corruption. Now the business sector can settle down and plan ahead,” Lao said.
Duterte laid down the first policy he wants to implement -- reduce red tape in government, ordering all the department secretaries and heads of agencies to reduce the requirements and the processing time for all applications.
“I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to remove redundant requirements and compliance with one department or agency, shall be accepted as sufficient for all,” Duterte said.
The President also ordered the department secretaries and heads of agencies to honor the sanctity of government contracts by not changing or bending the rules, as well as transactions and projects that have already been approved and are up for implementation.
Duterte also pointed out that “changing the rules when the game is ongoing is wrong.”
“I abhor secrecy and instead advocate transparency in all government contracts, projects and business transactions from submission of proposals to negotiation to perfection and finally, to consummation,” he added.
Duterte then warned those who will fail to implement his directive.
“Do it (his directives) and we will work together. Do not do it, we will part sooner than later,” he said.
The ease of doing business was among the top 10 actionable recommendations made by over 450 business leaders during the two-day Consultative workshop and economic forum last June 20 to 21 at the SMX Convention Center, Davao City. Upon recommendation, Duterte then vowed that he will consider all the recommendations saying it’s doable and reasonable.
Also, the 10-point socioeconomic agenda laid by the Duterte administration are focused on continuation of macroeconomic policies, tax reform, ease of doing business, infrastructure spending, rural development, land administration, human capital development, science, technology, arts, social protection program and reproductive health.