House approves government rightsizing bill on second reading

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading the National Government Rightsizing bill aimed at restructuring the bureaucracy in order to be more responsive to the people's needs.

House Bill 7240 covers government agencies under the Executive department, except for the following:

• teachers and those in medical-related posts in government agencies under the Executive department, including hospitals and medical facilities;
• military and uniformed personnel, and
• positions in the government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions which are already under the jurisdiction of the Governance Commission for GOCCs.

Rightsizing, however, is optional for the legislature, judiciary, constitutional commissions, Office of the Ombudsman, and other local government units. 

Further, the bill creates a Committee on Rightsizing the Executive Branch, which is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the program. 

The bill also provides the grant of retirement benefits and separation incentives for personnel who may be affected by the rightsizing program, as well as a three-year timeline for implementation.

The Marcos administration had listed the government rightsizing bill as one of its legislative priorities. 

In his first State of the Nation Address last July, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the rightsizing measure will enhance the government’s institutional capacity to perform its mandate and provide better services while ensuring optimal and efficient use of resources.

"Compared to previous government reorganization efforts, the NGRP (National Government Rightsizing Program ) will entail a comprehensive strategic review of the functions, operations, organization, systems and processes of the different agencies, and massive and transformational initiatives in agencies concerned, such as merger, consolidation, splitting, transfer, and abolition of some offices," Marcos said.

"The rightsizing efforts will also involve the conduct of a comprehensive strategic review of functions, programs, and projects that will cut across various agencies," he added. —VBL, GMA Integrated News