The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) thanked the Senate for passing this week Senate Bill 1844 or the Act Authorizing the President to Expedite the Processing and Issuance of National and Local Permits, Licenses, and Certifications in Times of National Emergency.
“We congratulate the Senate and we welcome this great development. Tunay nga po na ang tren ng pagbabago laban sa red tape at sa pagpapabilis ng gobyerno ay patuloy na pabilis nang pabilis (It's true that the train towards change against red tape and expediting government processes is going faster)," ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica said.
According to Belgica, they have prepared recommendations for President Duterte on how to expedite the processing of permits, especially in times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
He echoed the President's sentiment that the bill will "facilitate economic activity, accelerate the socioeconomic recovery of the country, and ensure the prompt delivery of public services in times of a national emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic."
"These special powers during national emergencies enables the President to even suspend permits and requirements required by the law itself," Belgica said.
"This will also make it costly for agencies not to streamline as administrative penalties may be imposed for refusal to streamline," he added.
Belgica said to fulfill its part, ARTA will continue to uphold its empowerment and enforcement functions in accordance with the Ease of Doing Business Law.
"It will sustain its continuing efforts to assist government offices and agencies in streamlining their systems and procedures. Likewise, it will carry on its investigation proceedings to ensure that violating agencies, officials, or employees will be held accountable," he said.
Duterte had certified the bill as urgent, waiving the mandatory three-day interval after its approval on second reading on Oct. 12. All 21 senators voted to pass the bill on the third and final reading on Oct. 14.
According to Malacañang, the President wants government agencies to be more responsive in the present COVID-19 pandemic, and one way to realize this is to improve the delivery of public services.
"The Chief Executive hopes by simplifying processes and cutting red tape in the Executive branch, we will be able to facilitate our country’s economic activity and accelerate socioeconomic recovery, for the betterment of our people," presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.