PCCI, Anti-Red Tape Authority MOA to implement Ease of Doing Business Act
The affiliate chambers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Mindanao have hailed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between PCCI and the Anti-Red Tape Authority.
“This will considerably lighten the burden of businessmen who have to deal with the maze of documentary and other requirements when dealing with government,” said Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio, PCCI Area Vice President for Mindanao. “PCCI Mindanao also welcomes this opportunity to be arbiters in helping our members expedite transactions with local and national government.”
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Anti Red Tape Authority (ARTA) signed on August 27 an agreement designating PCCI and its local chapters nationwide to receive complaints from the business sector against violation of Republic Act No. 11032(Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Delivery Act of 2018).
Signing the agreement were PCCI President Benedicto V. Yujuico and ARTA Director General Jeremiah B. Belgica. The signing was held at the conclusion of the 29th Visayas Area Business Conference held virtually on August 27-28, 2020 and hosted by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Yujuico welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, which he describes as putting premium on the role of PCCI as partner of government in ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient delivery of services in government.
“I truly welcome this opportunity to work and partner with ARTA to ensure that the law is implemented and observed by the local government units and other agencies concerned in the delivery of services, especially in applying for business permits and clearances,” Yujuico said.
RA 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018) seeks to establish effective practices, aimed at attaining an efficient turnaround of the delivery of government services, the prevention of graft and corruption in government, to promote transparency, reduce red tape and expedite business and non-business related transactions in government.
Among the initiatives of ARTA that PCCI welcomed are the enforcement of the 3-7-20 day rule on the automatic approval of applications; the Citizen’s Charter which outlines the list of services offered by the frontline agencies including the steps, documents, fees, and a feedback mechanism; and the establishment of the National Business One-Stop Shop to co-locate, unify and automate the functions of these agencies.
Yujuico said that common concerns of business are the delay in the processing of business permits and clearances which usually take longer than one month. With this law, applications with LGUs and national government agencies which are not processed within the 3-7-20 (working)-day rule are "automatically approved by operation of law."
“We would not be able to attract new business or investors if we will not correct this systemic process, which actually gives undue burden to our businesses. It should have been addressed long time ago. Nonetheless, we are here to help ARTA successfully implement the law,” Yujuico said.
Under the agreement, PCCI’s Area Vice Presidents and Regional Governors are deputized as “ARTA Champions”. Its local chambers are authorized to receive complaints and conduct review before endorsing to ARTA for appropriate action.
PCCI has 42 affiliate Local Chambers of Commerce in Mindanao headed by PCCI Mindanao Area Vice President Maria Teresa R. Alegrio, and PCCI Regional Governors Arturo Milan (South Eastern Mindanao), Roderico R. Bioco (Northern Mindanao), Paul Gudmalin (Western Mindanao), Pete Marquez (Central Mindanao), Aldrin Ibbo (BARMM), Julie Senense (Eastern (CARAGA) Mindanao) and Loreta Sy (South Western Mindanao).
PCCI shall also conduct seminars and information sessions to generate public awareness.
ARTA, on the other hand, shall ensure that complaints endorsed by PCCI are acted upon and promptly, and will provide PCCI the information materials to educate its businesses on the provisions of the law. Likewise, ARTA shall seek the recommendations of PCCI on matters relative to the improvement of regulatory systems, policies, and procedures of various NGAs and LGUs. (PCCI Mindanao)
