As part of its fifth-anniversary celebration, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) will introduce the Accelerating Reforms for Improved Service Efficiency (ARISE) Awards to recognize the efforts of government agencies in improving bureaucratic efficiency in the country.

Photo from the Anti-Red Tape Authority

The ARTA said this as it celebrates the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Act at the Manila Hotel on Monday, May 29.

In a statement, the ARTA said the ARISE Awards are an overarching award for all national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs).

"The ARISE Awards are designed to inspire governmental agencies to constantly enhance their regulatory procedures in order to provide better service to their targeted stakeholders. It will also foster healthy competition amongst various governmental bodies under the EODB law," it said.

"By recognizing and rewarding government agencies that are making progress in this area, the ARISE Awards can help to motivate other agencies to follow suit," it added.

Government agencies can participate in different categories of ARISE Awards based on different ARTA Compliances:

• Compliance with the Electronic Business One Stop Shop for LGUs or Digitalization of Services Award for NGAs
• Adherence to the Philippine Good Regulatory Principles Rewards and Recognition Program
• Accomplishment in the Report Card Survey 2.0 Award
• Philippine Ease of Doing Business Reporting System
  
  

In addition, a government agency that completed the ARISE Awards in all categories will also get a Crystal ARISE Trophy with an emblem, which will serve as a testament to their success in reducing red tape and streamlining regulatory procedures.

With the theme, "The ARTA @5: 5treamlining the Philippines for Effective and Efficient Digitalization (S.P.E.E.D.)," the event will highlight ARTA's efforts to streamline and digitalize government processes and procedures. The celebration also reiterates the Authority's commitment to promoting ease of doing business in the country.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin will read President Marcos' keynote message. Marcos has expressed tremendous support for ARTA's work and has reiterated his administration's commitment to improving bureaucratic efficiency.

In a statement, the ARTA said ARTA director-general Secretary Ernesto Perez would announce the agency's plans, which include expanding its reach to all regions of the country, increasing its focus on digitalization, and strengthening its partnerships with the private sector and other government agencies.

In addition to streamlining government processes, the ARTA said it was working to further strengthen the promotion of digitalization and inter-agency collaboration.

"These are essential to improving bureaucracy in the country and the transacting public's experience with government programs and services," it said.

"In its fifth year of public service, ARTA is confident that by working together with the private sector and other government agencies under the whole-of-government approach, it will accelerate the implementation of reforms and make a significant difference in improving the ease of doing business in the Philippines," it added.

Over the past five years, the ARTA has reduced the average processing time in government transactions, reduced the number of regulatory requirements, and increased government agencies achieving full compliance with the EODB Law.