By Joseph Almer Pedrajas
The local government of Valenzuela will create a department that will eliminate red-tape and ensure the ease of doing business in the city.
Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian (Rex Gatchalian official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)
In his first executive order this year, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian ordered the creation of “Anti-Red Tape Unit (ARTU),” in line with the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 and Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
Under E.O. No. 2020-001, the said unit shall ensure the local government’s compliance to the mentioned laws.
Aside from it, the order will also, “enable the continuous improvement of the services being offered” and “monitor and evaluate the compliance of offices and issue notices/memorandum of warning to erring and/or non-complying employees and officials.”
Further, the new unit should “initiate investigation” upon receipt of a complaint regarding fixers, among others, “recommend policies, processes and systems to improve regulatory management to increase the productivity, efficiency and effectiveness of offices,” and “perform such acts as may be necessary to attain the objectives of” ease of doing business.
Recently, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) awarded the Certificate of Commendation to the city for their Paspas Permit initiative, a 10-second business permit online application system.
"The user interface is very client-centric. This is the type that the country needs," ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica said.