Anti-Red Tape Authority Officer-in-Charge Director-General Ernesto V. Perez.
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte's directive to eliminate red tape in government has been paying off, the head of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said on Wednesday.
This, as the Philippines improved its ranking in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2019 published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
"The Authority sees our improved ranking as a positive indicator that the President’s directive to eliminate the red tape problem and to promote the ease of doing business in the country is already paying off," ARTA officer-in-charge, Director General Ernesto V. Perez said in a statement.
Perez said the full implementation of Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery that created ARTA will attract more economic activities, foster an enabling business environment, generate more jobs, and ensure an inclusive growth for the country.
"The Authority hustles to have the Ease of Doing Business Law fully implemented within the next three years," he said.
Perez said this will happen once the Implementing Rules and Regulations are approved by the permanent ARTA Director-General, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary, and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson.
"The full implementation of the law is however premised on the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations, the draft of which is ready for approval at any time by the regular Director General who is yet to be appointed by the President," he added.
Perez said the country still needs to catch up to be at par with the performance of its neighbors.
"As such, we are resolute in monitoring and ensuring the compliance of concerned government agencies to the Ease of Doing Business Law, which is pivotal to streamlining our current government services and procedures and to eliminating corruption," he said.
He expressed confidence that the full implementation of the law will further improve the country's chances to an improved competitiveness ranking in the coming years.
"With its passing, we look forward to shaping the Philippines as a competitive landscape where businesses, foreign and local alike, from SMEs (small, medium enterprises) to large businesses, can thrive with the help of a government they could trust," he said.
The President earlier issued Memorandum Circular 44 which hastened the processing time for government transactions, and Administrative Order 13 removing non-tariff barriers in importing agricultural products.
The President also signed Executive Order 43 creating Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission and later issued another EO (73), expanding the commission’s powers to recommend to the ARTA the filing of charges against officials tagged in corruption for further investigation.
From last year’s 50th spot, the Philippines jumped to 46th in terms of competitiveness, measured by using four factors: economic performance; government efficiency; business efficiency; and, infrastructure.
The country climbed to 38th from 50th in terms of economic performance, 41st from 44th in the government efficiency factor, to 32nd from 38th in business efficiency, and 59th from 60th in the infrastructure factor. (PNA)
