With two days left before the deadline on the submission of revised Citizen’s Charter, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has reminded government agencies to submit their fully rationalized Citizen’s Charter on the July 25, 2020 stating there will be is no extension to the deadline.
ARTA Director-General Jeremiah Belgica warned government of administrative consequences for failure to comply with the deadline.
“Agencies who will fail to submit in compliance with the President’s directive under AO 23 and with RA 11032 should expect administrative sanctions,” said Belgica in a statement.
As per the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 11032, government agencies were required to submit their Citizen’s Charter to ARTA, including only their external services on or before December 6 last year.
But agencies were given up to July 25 to submit their fully rationalized Citizen’s Charter. By Saturday, July 25, ARTA expects all covered agencies to submit their revised Citizen’s Charter for both their external and internal services, including the new processes implemented and all other revisions on existing services that are being adopted in the ‘new normal’.
“It is not enough that they submit on time; they should submit a rationalized one which reflects an easier process. One key thing that they should bear in mind is that they should only ask for requirements that are really necessary and has clear legal basis”, the ARTA chief added.
Pursuant to its functions, ARTA has since assured that government agencies are informed with the guidelines to effectively comply with the Citizen’s Charter provision of the law through releasing memorandum circulars, and the conduct of webinars and nationwide capacity-building activities which date back prior to the implementation of community quarantines.
The Citizen’s Charter provision of R.A. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act mandates all government agencies in the executive branch, which include national government agencies, local government units, government -owned and - controlled corporations, and other government instrumentalities, to craft a Citizen’s Charter.
These covered government agencies are urged to refer to ARTA Memorandum Circular 2019- 02, which includes a Citizen’s Charter template and details the prescribed manner of writing it.
The law requires government agencies to have their Citizen’s Charter in both (1) information billboard (e.g. tarpaulins, kiosks, TV postings), and (2) handbook form. The handbook must be made available at the transaction windows/counters of each frontline office and shall be uploaded at the official website of the agency.
Further, it shall serve as ARTA’s reference for violations in case of any complaint it may receive against a government agency.