ARTA reminds LGUs on ease of doing business
Credit to Author: Anna Leah E. Gonzales| Date: Mon, 06 Jan 2020 16:16:37 +0000
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) on Monday called on all local government units (LGUs) to take steps to ensure efficient and speedy processing of business registrations and renewals.
In a statement, ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica said ARTA recently met with high-level representatives from the top malls in the country and other stakeholders to discuss their experiences in business processing and to hear the needs that can be addressed by ARTA.
January to March is often the “heavy” periods for business registration renewals across the country.
“There are still some LGUs that have redundant requirements that need to be updated or repealed. For example, a locational clearance is a requirement to make sure that the business is a match with the zoning of the area,” said Belgica.
He said that there is also a need to speed up the processes regarding occupational clearances, and fire safety inspection certificates, among others.
“In the starting a business indicator in the 2020 World Bank Doing Business Report, the Philippines is 171th out of 190 countries. We need to fix and fast track our processing. By following the provisions of RA (Republic Act) 11032 (Ease of Doing Business Act) and the guidelines and circulars issued by ARTA and DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), DTI, (Department of Trade and Industry) and DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology), there are ways to make this faster,” he said.
Belgica said that through the implementation of the law and regulations and guidelines, the Philippines would be able to compete with global economies, especially within Southeast Asia.
“This year we are working to improve the performance of the country not only in the Doing Business Report, but also in ways that will be felt by everyone. It is time to remove outdated, redundant and unnecessary requirements that serve no purpose but to unduly burden the people,” he added.