Gov’t to accept complaints vs. agencies violating Ease of Doing Business law

The government is now ready to accept complaints against agencies that do not complete transactions in 20 days or less as stipulated in the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the proposed act into law in May 2018.

Complaints may now be addressed to the specific agency since the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) has been signed, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Jeremiah Belgica said in a press conference in Pasay City on Wednesday.

“We have identified some key points on how we could better and faster implement the investigation of complaints. We would accept initial complaints,” he told reporters.

"The entire complaining process, wala doon sa batas,” Belgica said, noting it was only included in the IRR which was signed in Pasay City on Wednesday.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Civil Service Commission Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, and Belgica signed the IRR.

Duterte signed into law the Ease of Doing Business Act in in May 2018, but implementing the IRR  was delayed as it could only take effect with the signature of the ARTA Director General. Belgica assumed office only on July 9, 2019.

Belgica said the IRR is scheduled to be published on Thursday, July 18, and will take effect 15 days after publication.

The law mandates that simple transactions with government agencies should only take three days, complex transactions seven days, and highly technical transactions 20 days.

Should government agencies fail to meet this, ARTA said its office is now open to accept complaints and concerns—via email at complaints@arta.gov.ph; hotline through 478-5091 or 478-5099; or its social media accounts.

On its website, ARTA said it will be implementing a two-strike policy for government officials and employees found violating the Ease of Doing Business Act.

The first offense entails administrative liability with a six-month suspension, while the second offense entails administrative and criminal liabilities.

At the same press conference, ARTA Deputy Director General Ernesto Perez said special laws concerning quasi-judicial bodies will be followed.

“RA 11032 is a general law so that if it is in conflict with a special law, then the special law will govern,” he said.

Under the law, all government agencies are required to update their respective citizen’s charters to ensure the mandated 3-7-20 rule is followed.

“The constitutional commissions are not covered as to their quasi-judicial functions. As to the administrative and frontline services, ito ay maari pa ring masaklaw ng RA 11032,” Belgica said.

Among the quasi-judicial authorities is the Philippine Competition Commission, which takes 30 days to review the significant impact of business transactions on the country’s business environment. —VDS, GMA News