After the Senate approved on third reading and final reading a bill seeking to simplify bureaucratic processes, Sen. Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Gotoday emphasized the need for a whole-of-nation approach to curb corruption and cut red tape.
The bill seeks to give the President of the Philippines authority to simplify bureaucratic processes during national emergencies which, in effect, will improve ease of doing business as well asstrengthen the fight against corruption.
The measure, Senate Bill (SB) 1844, seeks to authorize the President – during times of national emergency – to suspend the requirements for national and local permits, licenses and certifications, and streamline and expedite the processing of their issuance.
Go, co-author and co-sponsor of the measure, lauded the passage of the bill in the Senate, saying that swifter and more efficient conduct of government transactions during times of national emergencies can also set a benchmark to improve government processes even during normal times.
“Kung magawa nating mas mapabilis ang proseso in times of national emergencies dahil sa batas na ito, subukan na rinnating gawing kasing bilis, mas maayos, at mas maaasahan ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa kahit anumang panahon,” Go said.
(If we can hasten the processing time in times of national emergencies because of this measure, we can test if we do things faster, orderly, and reliable service at any time)
During his manifestation of support for the measure, Go congratulated his fellow lawmakers for the passage of the bill.
"I just want to congratulate and thank Senate President (Vicente) Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore (Ralph) Recto, Sen. (Panfilo) ‘’Ping’’ Lacson, Big Brother Minority Leader (Franklin M.) Drilon and, of course, our Majority Leader and sponsor of the bill, our small brother, Sen.r (Juan Miguel) Zubiri, for heeding President Duterte’s call to take necessary steps to curb corruption and simplify the requirements and steps in doing business in our country,” Go said.
“Importante po talaga ito kay Pangulong Duterte kaya cinertify niya po ito as urgent. It is also my honor to be a co-author and co-sponsor of this bill,” he added.
(This bill is important that is why the President certified it as urgent)
Go lauded the Senate for being united in support of the administration’s fight against red tape and corruptionin the bureaucracy.
''I also thank all our colleagues, lahat (all), for fully supporting this measure. We may be on different sides of the fence about certain issues, but on this important legislation, we are united. At sana po ay tuloy-tuloy itong kampanya natin laban sa korapsyon sa gobyerno,” he said.
(I hope our fight against corruption in government would go full speed ahead)