Duterte creates office for adviser on streamlining gov’t processes to cut red tape

Duterte creates office for adviser on streamlining gov’t processes to cut red tape

FILE PHOTO: Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr. (Photo from Malacañang)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Streamlining Government Processes (OPASGP) in a bid to cut red tape.

Duterte signed on Tuesday Executive Order No. 129, giving the presidential adviser on streamlining government processes authority to recommend policies, strategies, programs, and measures to cut red tape as well as review existing government systems and processes to ensure simplified structures and methods to avoid lengthy bureaucratic paperwork that is considered prone to corruption.

This order comes four months after Duterte appointed former Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. as presidential adviser on streamlining government processes.

Under EO No, 129, Evasco was allowed to form the organizational structure of his office, which must consist of administrative and technical personnel needed to efficiently and effectively carry out its functions and duties subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management. He shall also be assisted by an undersecretary and an assistant secretary.

EO No. 129 says the presidential adviser on streamlining government processes shall have the following functions, among others:

Additionally, the EO says the presidential adviser on streamlining government processes and ARTA shall ensure harmonization, integration, and non-duplication of all government initiatives on ease of doing business.

“The PASGP (presidential adviser on streamlining government processes) may call upon any government official or employee for such assistance necessary for the effective performance of his functions. All heads of executive departments and agencies are also hereby directed to fully cooperate with the PASGP to the extent consistent with their respective mandates,” it added.

Funds to support the operations of Evasco’s office shall be sourced from the existing budget of the Office of the President. OPASGP’s funding requirements for succeeding years shall then be included in the Office of the President’s regular budget.

KGA

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