With his six-year presidency winding down, President Duterte prefers to get the government work done as fast as possible.
In his visit to storm-hit Surigao del Sur Tuesday, the President admitted he has grown "very impatient” and wanted the swift implementation of programs as well as processing of documents especially since he has several months left in office.
His preference for faster government service was mentioned after he directed Cabinet members to hasten the relief assistance for areas affected by tropical storm Auring.
Duterte, the former Davao City mayor elected on a promise to combat illegal drugs and corruption in 2016, will step down in June 2022.
"I am a very impatient man, not because by design but kakaunti na lang kasi ang panahon na pagka-presidente ko. Gusto ko ‘yong dapat gawin, gawin na kaagad para ano (but my time as president is coming to an end. I want all that needs to be done must be done immediately)," he said in his taped remarks aired on state television Tuesday night.
"Kaya ngayon, even in the matter of permits, maski anong klaseng permit pa, mining, hindi ko pinapatagal (So now, even in the matter of processing of permits, whatever permits they are, permits for mining, I don't want it prolonged)," he added.
The President noted that he has already ordered shorter processing period for government permits and other documents especially at the local level.
He knew the work of local government executives since he previously served as mayor of his hometown.
"I tell them just give them 30 days. And there’s a very simplified clearances now sa local government," he said.
"You must remember that mayor ako. And before I became the mayor, the usual, sa sabungan pabalik-balikin. Now, maski anong klaseng opisina, sabi ko it’s about three days (People are asked to go back and forth. Now, i said it's about three days regardless of the kind of office)," he said. He cited that one-stop government centers have also been established to provide efficient service to the public.
"Karamihan diyan one-stop shop na. Nandiyan ang overseas, nandiyan ‘yong NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), nandiyan ‘yong BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) whatever clearances you would need. There is a table that will take care of your need in one building," he said.
At the situation briefing on the damage left by Auring, the President reminded Cabinet members not to compel local officials from storm-hit areas to go to Manila just to follow on relief aid.
He told them to instead go back to the area or send their representatives to complete the work.