The Philippines’ Anti-Red Tape Authority and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) recently met to discuss collaboration on the nationwide automation of government services.
According to a recent press release, the two agencies are going to work together in an effort to accelerate efficiency in the government through automation and utilising Information and Communications Technologies (ICT).
The partnership will be formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, which is scheduled on the first week of September 2019.
ARTA Director General Atty. Jeremiah Belgica explained that the automation and digitisation of government services can bring benefits across numerous functions of the government.
Benefits of automation and digitisation
Once completely implemented, this breakthrough initiative would lower the operational costs for government agencies.
Moreover, it would pave the way for a faster service offering that will benefit the transacting public.
In addition, the automation would be pivotal in the government’s effort to go paperless in the coming years.
It will also eliminate corruption since this will minimise the interaction between applicants and government employees and officials.
Participation is key
To this end, ARTA is calling for the proactive participation and support of all government agencies for this initiative.
As a first step, the heads of government offices and agencies are advised to reach out to the DICT for assistance in their automation efforts.
DICT Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Rey Caintic introduced a project called Chief Information Officer (CIO) Corps.
This initiative is a DICT-backed program that will have IT experts from the Department partnering with a government agency’s IT team to offer assistance in the automation and digitisation of their services.
Furthermore, ARTA will be taking the lead and will be the first to avail of this service in an effort to jumpstart the digital transformation within the organisation.
Together with DICT, ARTA intends to be the window to the future of government, ultimately paving the way to a digital Philippines, which maximises productivity, minimises waste and eliminates corruption.
Brief background
As reported, ARTA is under the Office of the President and was created as key implementer of RA 11032 or the Ease of doing Business and Efficient delivery of Government Services.
The creation of this law is expected to diminish a number of complaints on delayed government transactions.
The ease of doing business will now be simpler as a result of more improved systems and procedures of both national and local government services.
The law specifically aims to reduce processing time, cut bureaucratic red tape, and also eliminate corrupt practices.
The law has mandated that processing time for government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations are as follows:
- 3 working days for simple transactions
- 7 days for complex transactions
- 20 working days for highly technical ones
ARTA is ready to embrace change to serve the Filipino people better.