MANILA – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is calling on other national government agencies to follow the example of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Social Security System (SSS) who reminded their branches nationwide to comply with the provisions of Republic Act 11032 and implement a “no cut-off, no noon break” policy.
“This is a positive development po para sa amin sa ARTA ngayong nalaman namin na dahil sa mga isinasagawa naming surprise inspections ay mayroon pong mga sinisimulang hakbang ang mga government agencies natin para po mahinto na yung mga non-compliance at paglabag na nakikita po natin (for us in ARTA that after our inspections, government agencies have imposed steps to stop non-compliance and violations we discovered)," Director-General Jeremiah Belgica said in a news release on Thursday.
The memorandum circulars were issued by the head office of both agencies following ARTA’s recent surprise inspection at their select branches.
In a circular dated Feb. 3, 2021, the BIR reminded all their regional directors of their role as the heads of offices in ensuring the implementation of RA 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018) and of their accountability to the public in rendering fast, efficient, convenient, and reliable service pursuant to the said law.
“All officials and employees are expected to serve the taxpayers based on the procedures set forth in the Citizen’s Charter, with proper observance of health protocols set forth by the Inter-Agency Task Force," stated in the memorandum signed by BIR Assistant Commissioner Teresita Angeles.
The SSS, on the other hand, reminded all heads of branches on Feb. 8 that “even at closing time, if there are still customers transacting business at the SSS branch, the concerned counter/shall remain open until all the customers have been served”.
The memorandum also stated that the security guards should also be instructed to comply with such policy.
“Nananawagan din po kami sa ibang ahensya na tularan itong naunang ginawa ng BIR at ng SSS. Mahalaga po na kayo mismo, mapaalalahanan ninyo at maging halimbawa kayo sa lahat ng inyong mga branches na sundin po ang mga probisyon ng batas (We call on other agencies to adopt what the BIR and SSS did. It is important that you remind and set as example of your branches to follow the law provision),” Belgica said.
ARTA is encouraging the public to use #iARTAnaYan to post videos and pictures of red tape in Facebook.
ARTA will conduct surprise inspections on agencies that are reported and found to be in violation of RA 11032. (PR)
