131 LGUs not streamlining, digitizing gov’t services to be charged

A total of 131 local government units (LGUs) nationwide will be charged for not complying with the government’s efforts to streamline and digitize its services, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Secretary Ernesto Perez said on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 131  local government units (LGUs) nationwide will be charged for not complying with the government’s efforts to streamline and digitize its services.

The Office of the Ombudsman will handle the case and sanctions for the LGUs, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Secretary Ernesto Perez said on Tuesday.

In a press briefing, Perez explained that the 131 LGUs were notified to explain their noncompliance but did not respond to ARTA.

“Mayroon pong 431 LGUs na pinadalhan natin ng notices to explain para i-explain nila kung bakit hanggang ngayon hindi sila tumutupad sa direktibang ito. Kaya you expect po na within the week or next week, sasampahan po natin ng kaso about 131 local government units,” he said.

(There are 431 LGUs that we sent notices to explain, asking them to explain why they still have not complied with this directive. So, you can expect that within this week or next week, we will be filing cases against about 131 local government units.)

“Alam ninyo ba na as early as the Salonga Law ‘no, doon sa Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, kapag tayo ay hindi sumagot sa isang question, concern, complaint within 15 working days from receipt, liable na po sila,” Perez explained.

(Did you know that as early as the Salonga Law, under the Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, if we fail to respond to a question, concern, or complaint within 15 working days from receipt, they can already be held liable?)

He revealed that in Metro Manila, only the municipality of Pateros did not comply with the streamlining of government processes.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared May of every year as Ease of Doing Business Month.

READ: May declared as Ease of Doing Business Month

Based on Proclamation No. 818 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and issued last March 3, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) was tasked with identifying the programs, activities, and projects related to the celebration.

The proclamation also directed all national government agencies and instrumentalities covered by Republic Act No. 9485, also known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 (as amended), to coordinate with the ARTA to ensure smooth transaction processes.