#MINDANAO
John Tria
Two weeks ago I wrote about some reforms passed during the Duterte administration that we did not hear much about. A few of you commented on my social media posts about the personal property security act. You can read about them here: https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/06/game-changing-reforms-we-dont-hear-much-about/
This week I would like to focus on some other “access” reforms that are worth discussing since they pave the way for our citizens to participate more in the economy’s growth by granting the tools to better avail of government services and pursue private transactions.
The first is the national ID. At long last, after years of debate and opposition from various quarters since this was first proposed, as I recall in the 1990s, we can now say that we have national ID similar to that of other countries.
Why is a national ID important? Having this basic means of identifying yourself as a Filipino citizen is essential to accessing important government services including safety nets like social security and health services. I hope to see the day when it will not need “two valid government IDs” just to establish one’s identity when making transactions.
Moreover, having a robust ID system matters when you digitalize many processes, as we are seeing today with our new digital banks, which can quickly set up an online account through mobile apps. Imagine how many more Filipinos, particularly microentrepreneurs can enter the formal financial system, increase the savings rate and avail of loans at lower interest to expand their businesses.
I know many especially in the provinces and hinterlands who do not have any government ID. This effectively prevents them from accessing needed services especially as they enter their senior years. With a national ID, they and their families can avail of services and make transactions easily. An inability to provide basic identification means that they are forced to patronize loan sharks that do not demand any proof of identity and charge exorbitant interest rates just for working capital loans to tide them over rough times.
Thus, with a national ID, the ability to quickly and credibly validate identities of people you transact with creates more economic and financial inclusion. This also helps protect us from scammers. Having a national ID will also be essential in availing of the next reform discussed in this column, the EODB.
The Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Law and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act or Republic Act 11032 mandates that all government agencies enable access to their services more effectively, establishing a no contact policy, institutionalizing one stop shops and setting a specific number of days within which documents are decided upon. This gives us the tools to help make transactions easier. Learn more about it here: www.arta.gov.ph.
It is thus my sincere hope that the incoming government will make sure that as many transactions as possible can go online, so that the people can avail of them from the comfort and safety of their homes and offices, rather than making trips through traffic, battling for limited parking spaces and falling in line in offices. This also helps government agencies pursue hybrid work set ups for their employees when necessary.
As it stands, the challenge before us in the coming years lies in effective implementation. This is where private sector organizations and so called civil society groups can engage government agencies to ensure that such reforms are sustained over time. Social media can and should play a big part in disseminating vital information on how we can avail of these reforms.
facebook.com/johntriapage
John Tria
Two weeks ago I wrote about some reforms passed during the Duterte administration that we did not hear much about. A few of you commented on my social media posts about the personal property security act. You can read about them here: https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/06/game-changing-reforms-we-dont-hear-much-about/
This week I would like to focus on some other “access” reforms that are worth discussing since they pave the way for our citizens to participate more in the economy’s growth by granting the tools to better avail of government services and pursue private transactions.
The first is the national ID. At long last, after years of debate and opposition from various quarters since this was first proposed, as I recall in the 1990s, we can now say that we have national ID similar to that of other countries.
Why is a national ID important? Having this basic means of identifying yourself as a Filipino citizen is essential to accessing important government services including safety nets like social security and health services. I hope to see the day when it will not need “two valid government IDs” just to establish one’s identity when making transactions.
Moreover, having a robust ID system matters when you digitalize many processes, as we are seeing today with our new digital banks, which can quickly set up an online account through mobile apps. Imagine how many more Filipinos, particularly microentrepreneurs can enter the formal financial system, increase the savings rate and avail of loans at lower interest to expand their businesses.
I know many especially in the provinces and hinterlands who do not have any government ID. This effectively prevents them from accessing needed services especially as they enter their senior years. With a national ID, they and their families can avail of services and make transactions easily. An inability to provide basic identification means that they are forced to patronize loan sharks that do not demand any proof of identity and charge exorbitant interest rates just for working capital loans to tide them over rough times.
Thus, with a national ID, the ability to quickly and credibly validate identities of people you transact with creates more economic and financial inclusion. This also helps protect us from scammers. Having a national ID will also be essential in availing of the next reform discussed in this column, the EODB.
The Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Law and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act or Republic Act 11032 mandates that all government agencies enable access to their services more effectively, establishing a no contact policy, institutionalizing one stop shops and setting a specific number of days within which documents are decided upon. This gives us the tools to help make transactions easier. Learn more about it here: www.arta.gov.ph.
It is thus my sincere hope that the incoming government will make sure that as many transactions as possible can go online, so that the people can avail of them from the comfort and safety of their homes and offices, rather than making trips through traffic, battling for limited parking spaces and falling in line in offices. This also helps government agencies pursue hybrid work set ups for their employees when necessary.
As it stands, the challenge before us in the coming years lies in effective implementation. This is where private sector organizations and so called civil society groups can engage government agencies to ensure that such reforms are sustained over time. Social media can and should play a big part in disseminating vital information on how we can avail of these reforms.
facebook.com/johntriapage