The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is looking at the Manila local government unit's (LGU's) Go Manila app to be the model for the mobile online portal initiative that the agency is proposing.
ARTA Director-General Jeremiah Belgica made the statement as the agency met with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and other Manila LGU officials to discuss ARTA's findings on the capital's Business One-Stop Shops (BOSS).
During their meeting, Belgica lauded the Manila LGU's mobile app that aims to simplify the services and ease the conduct of transactions such that all services, including payment of utility bills.
"Director-General Belgica suggested that the Go Manila App could serve as the model for a mobile online portal initiative being proposed by ARTA," the ARTA wrote in its statement.
ARTA said the portal will be intended for use of LGUs for their business permit and licensing system (BPLS) and all other government services being offered to the public.
During their meeting, Moreno explained that the Go Manila app, which can be accessed by Manileños at the comfort of their homes, targets a zero-physical transaction at their city hall which will be instrumental in their efforts to eliminate red tape and corruption.
ARTA inspected Manila's BOSS last January 8. During his meeting with Manila LGU officials, Belgica recommended the integration of the barangay clearance and the collection of the fire fees in the BOSS, and the elimination of the payment of insurance as a requirement in their business permit renewal process
The ARTA chief also advised Manila LGU officials to continue with the implementation of the LGU’s Electronic BOSS, the deadline of which is on June 17, 2021.
Last month, ARTA said that some of the important requirements and features that are expected from the BOSS of LGUs are:
- A single window for submission of all requirements
- A Unified Application Form containing all required questions by all the offices involved in the processing of permits
- Three Simple Step Process of Submission, Assessment/Payment, and Release
- Presence of a clear and complete citizen’s charter
- Integration of Barangay Clearance in the BOSS
- Integration of Fire Safety Inspection/Evaluation Clearance in the BOSS.
- The processing of applications of not more than three days
LGUs who will be found to be non-compliant with the requirements of the law shall receive Notice of Deficiencies and may be subjected to a formal investigation which may result in an administrative case.