The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has commended the local government of Pasig City for its latest innovative service that allows residents to pay their annual real property tax for 2022 using the Pasig City Online Payment Facility.

ARTA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Pasig City government on February 12, 2020, for the creation of the Anti-Red Tape Unit (ARTU) that aims to ensure the proper observance of ease of doing business laws in the local government.

In a statement, ARTA Director-General Jeremiah Belgica said ARTA had nothing but praises for the Pasig City government, ARTA's first official local government unit partner, led by Mayor Vico Sotto.

"The Pasig City government's latest effort is fully aligned with ARTA's mandate to make life easier and more convenient for Filipinos through streamlined and automated government services," he said.

"In fact, digital payments are a key element to attaining the target digitalization of government processes as mandated by the Ease of Doing Business Act," he added.

According to Belgica, ARTA has been intensifying its push for the institutionalization of digital payments in government agencies in the past few months as they provide a safer and more convenient option to the public to transact with the government amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

ARTA has required government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and other government instrumentalities to set up digital payment options in preparation for the "new normal," as stated in Memorandum Circular No. 2020-06, Series of 2020.

Belgica noted that it was no less than President Duterte himself called for the establishment of e-governance in the country.

"We are happy to learn that this endeavor is being carried in the local level," he said.

In addition, Belgica lauded the Pasig City LGU for keeping Pasig City Hall open for the physical payment of annual real property tax for 2022.

"We understand that an adjustment period must be set for the public to get used to initiatives like this," he said.

He, however, encouraged residents of Pasig City to try paying their annual real property tax for 2022 online, especially since those who will pay before December 31, 2021, will get a 15-percent discount.

"For e-governance to be effectively implemented in the country, we need the participation and cooperation of, not only government agencies and LGUs but also the public," Belgica said.

"We at the Authority are hoping that more LGUs will follow Pasig City's example of providing digital payment options for its constituents and making moves to streamline their services and cut red tape within their offices," he added.

Last month, ARTA expressed support for Senate Bill (SB) 1764 or the proposed Use of Digital Payments Act that allows the digital collection of taxes and fees, payments, and other disbursements. The agency said the measure is seen to improve the ease of doing business and delivery of government services in the country.