MALACAÑANG on Monday, May 7, issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 44, reminding all government agencies, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, to act promptly on all public requests and concerns.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, by authority of President Rodrigo Duterte, signed MC 44 on May 4.
Under the memorandum, all offices in government are directed to respond to all forms of communications sent by the public within 15 working days from receipt thereof, as provided by Section 5(a) of Republic Act (RA) 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Medialdea also cited RA 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, wich seeks to promote transparency in each government agency, with regard to the manner of transacting with the public, in a bid to reduce red tape and hasten government transactions.
"The state shall provide the means to strengthen the people's channel of communication to the government by promoting and emphasizing the importance of responsive and service-oriented government agencies and instrumentalities, with the objective of fostering transparency and accountabity," the memorandum states.
"Now, therefore, all government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, performing frontline services as defined in RA 9485 are hereby directed to respond to all public requests and concerns within 15 days from receipts thereof, unless a shorted period is provided under applicable laws and issuances."
Medialdea said MC 44 shall take effect "immediately." (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)