MANILA – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) will file cases this week against 131 local government units (LGUs) for failing to streamline and digitize government services, as mandated by the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Law.
In a press conference in Malacañang Tuesday, ARTA Director General Secretary Ernesto Perez said the LGUs had ignored legal obligations to implement an electronic Business One-Stop Shop (e-BOSS) and failed to respond to government directives within the legally mandated period.
“Alam ninyo ba na as early as the Salonga Law ‘no, doon sa Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, kapag tayo ay hindi sumagot sa isang question, concern, complaint within 15 working days from receipt, liable na po sila (Did you know that as early as the Salonga Law, under the Code of Ethical Standards, if we fail to respond to a question, concern, or complaint within 15 working days, officials are already liable),” Perez said.
“Iyon po ang ating gagamitin — hindi lang po dahil required sila ng Ease of Doing Business Law… sinasabi rin po doon na ang heads of agencies, the mayors are responsible… Hindi po kami natatakot na sampahan sila ng demanda because we have a legal basis for it (That will be our basis—not just the requirement under the law, but the responsibility of agency heads and mayors. We are not afraid to file charges because we have legal grounds),” he added.
Perez said 431 LGUs were earlier issued notices to explain, with 131 now set to face legal action before the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Sabi nga ng Pangulo, wala pong exemption dito (As the President said, there are no exemptions),” he said.
He added that streamlining and digitalizing government services remains a top priority of the Marcos administration, adding that data shows this approach reduces red tape and corruption.
In connection with this push, the President recently declared May as “Ease of Doing Business Month” under Proclamation 818.
Activities under the theme “Red Tape to Red Carpet: Better Business Movement in a Bagong Pilipinas” have since begun nationwide, Perez said. (PNA)