ILOILO City – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) launched its regional office in Western Visayas yesterday.
Located at the National Food Authority (NFA) building in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro district, this is the seventh regional office established in a span of five years of implementing the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) law.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, who graced the launching along with ARTA director general Ernesto V. Perez, expressed support to ARTA and vowed to make use of the office’s services.
“I want our secretary (Perez) to know that I will make use of your office and I will file cases against government offices that are not working in consonance with the Ease of Doing Business,” the city mayor said.
Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, aims to streamline the current systems and procedures of government services.
The law creates the ARTA to implement and oversee a national policy on red tape. The ARTA is also mandated to implement various reform initiatives to combat red tape and ensure that the various government units and agencies comply.
In Iloilo City, Treñas touted the city government’s initiatives which ensure the ease of doing business in the delivery of its services such as the establishments of the Office of the Building Official, which eases the once tedious process for private construction, and the four offsite payment centers in the malls.
Through the ARTA regional office, the city mayor said it is certain that red tape in the whole region will be abolished and services for all the people will be more accessible
For his part, Atty. Joebert Peñaflorida, Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI)-Western Visayas governor, welcomed the presence of ARTA regional office.
“We are truly appreciative of the establishment of this office because PCCI as an organization has adopted its advocacy of supporting the anti-red tape and its efforts. We hope that with ARTA in Iloilo, we will do business better and faster or efficient resulting to a more progressive Iloilo and Western Visayas,” said Peñaflorida on behalf of the private sector.
Meantime, the event also served as venue for the inauguration and oathtaking of the newly appointed ARTA Regional Field Office 6 employees.
Also present at the event were NFA-6 manager Dianne Silva and PCCI-Iloilo chairperson Terence Uygongco, among others./PN
