MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the implementing rules for the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, which includes tapping text messaging to assist the public and keeping transaction windows open even during lunch breaks.

"To be world class for global competitiveness, we invest in reducing red tape in all agencies to cut business costs," Arroyo said in a speech at the Palace.

Section 5 of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) reads: "The office or agency shall institute hotline numbers, short message service, information communication technology, or other mechanisms by which the clients may adequately express their complaints, comments, or suggestions."

"It may also institute one-stop shops or walk-in service counters. Special lanes may be established for pregnant women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities," the same section reads.

Government agencies should also establish a public assistance desk that will be manned by "knowledgeable" personnel, even during lunch hour, according to the IRR.

Other salient provisions include:

• Signatories in official forms in government agencies providing frontline services shall be limited to five;
• All applications and requests filed before frontline agencies shall be no longer than five working days for simple transactions, and no longer than ten working days for complex transactions;
• No application request shall be returned without appropriate action, and the applicant should be notified within five working days;
• Clients inside government office premises at the end of working hours or during lunch breaks shall be entertained;
• Applications for renewal of a license or permit shall that are not renewed within the prescribed period shall be automatically extended until the concerned agency decides on it. The automatic extension does not apply in case of expired permits and licenses, and when it poses danger to public health, public safety, and public morals.

The rules also set the following penalties:

• For light offenses, 30 days suspension without pay and mandatory attendance in a Values Orientation program for the first offense, three months suspension without pay on the second offense, and dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public service on third offense.
• Light offenses include: refusal to accept applications, failure to act on an application, failure to attend to clients within office premises at the end of working hours or during lunch break, failure to provide frontline service without due cause, failure to give a written notice of disapproval of request, and imposition of irrelevant requirements.
• Fixers face imprisonment of no more than six years or a fine not less than P20,000 but not more than P200,000.
• A public official or employee or any person charged who is a co-respondent for violating the Anti-Red Tape Act shall be exempt from prosecution and can turn witness subject to the approval of the court or an investigating body. But the immunity from suit will be revoked if he or she refuses to cooperate in the investigation.

Last Monday, Arroyo convened the National Competitiveness Council after a World Bank survey showed that the country's competitiveness as a site for investments slipped four notches due to red tape.