MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte plans to issue an executive order (EO) that will address “red tape” in government upon his return from the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Thailand.
Duterte said he felt the country will not progress if corruption was rampant and there was no law and order.
“We cannot hope to rise. For every table in the government – be it in the local or in the national – pagka dumating ‘yang papel diyan, meron talaga ‘yan. It’s either they delay it and pabalik-balikin ‘yung tao until the money is given. Plain extortion,” he said.
Duterte added the EO is expected to streamline government processes and put a timeline on the release of public documents, applications, and permits in agencies under the executive department.
“I will just give you a limited time, including the Cabinet members. ‘Yung extension, depende na lang kung i-justify nila,” Duterte said. “That is the only way to improve things as they are now. But we can still do it more.”
The President’s plan to issue an EO against “red tape” came as he urged Thailand’s businessmen to invest more in the Philippines, citing the uptick in the country’s economic indicators.
“I invite you to ride on the momentum of Philippine growth story and invest especially in the new industrial destinations of Metro Manila, Pampanga, Clark, Cebu, Bohol, and Davao,” Duterte said.
“The Philippines values the economic partnership with Thailand and I am pleased with the current Thai investments in my country,” he added. “I hope that they will continue to increase in the years ahead.”
Duterte in the past voiced dissatisfaction at the slow processing in some government offices with people lining up for a long time just to get permits and documents./PN
