The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) will be closely monitoring government agencies to ensure they would keep a "pre-pandemic mindset" in delivering fast and efficient service to the public.

According to ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica, needless red tape literally kills especially as the country deals with a public health emergency.

"Sinisiguro natin na ang mga (We will make sure) government offices would always be proactive and they will maintain and adopt a post-pandemic mindset, if not a pre-pandemic mindset. Tayo’y tumutulong para siguraduhin ‘no na tumatakbo at mabilis ang mga proseso sa iba’t ibang mga opisina ng gobyerno lalung-lalo na ang mga kritikal na serbisyo ng gobyerno (We are helping to ensure the processes in different government offices, especially the delivery of critical service, are fast and efficient)," he said over government television Saturday, April 17.

"Ang Food and Drug Administration ay isa sa mga prayoridad na ahensiya na tinututukan talaga ng Anti-Red Tape Authority, lalo na sa oras ng pandemya sabi nga natin ang red tape ay nakamamatay kaya kinakailangan talagang magtulung-tulong tayo para pabilisin ang proseso (The Food and Drug Administration is one of the priority agencies the Anti-Red Tape Authority is monitoring especially during the pandemic, we've said red tape literally kills so we must help each other hasten the processes)," he said.

Belgica said ARTA will also keep close tabs on concerned agencies involved in processing permits needed by companies planning to manufacture coronavirus vaccines in the country. 

President Duterte earlier endorsed the proposed establishment of a "green lane" to expedite the processing of permits for local vaccine manufacturers. Duterte wanted authorities to remove unnecessary regulatory burden on these prospective vaccine investors to help boost the country's supply.

Read more: Gov’t to establish ‘green lane’ for local vaccine manufacturers

"Narinig ho natin lahat ang ating Pangulo na binanggit at sinabi ang mariing suporta na nais ibigay ng ating gobyerno sa mga local manufacturers ng mga bakuna at mga vaccines dito sa ating bayan (We've all heard the President who mentioned the government support for local manufacturers of vaccines in our country)," Belgica said.

"Ang ARTA ngayon ay patuloy na tututukan ang Food and Drug Administration at ang iba pang mga ahensiya na dadaanan ng mga companies na ito na nais mag-manufacture at maggawa ng mga vaccines at hindi lang mga vaccines, pati iyong mga kritikal na gamot na kakailanganin natin (ARTA wil continue to closely monitor the Food and Drug Administration and other agencies that will be passed by the companies planning to manufacture vaccines and other critical medicines we need)," he said.

He said local government units have also been directed to establish an electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBoss) following the issuance of a Joint Memorandum Circular by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and three other key agencies.

The local government units must automate the processing of business permits and other clearances by June 17.

Read more:
Duterte says ‘gov’t busy doing everything’ in COVID-19 response