Duterte’s 1st order: Streamline agency applications, processes

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his inaugural speech. MALACAÑANG POOL PHOTO

Newly sworn-in President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said that he will give the specifics of his economic and political policies in “due time” but there are some that require immediate action that cannot wait until tomorrow.

The first among these actions is his plan to streamline processes in all government agencies.

“I direct all department secretaries and the heads of agencies to reduce requirements and the processing time of all applications, from the submission to release,” he said during his first speech as President of the Republic of the Philippines.

READ: FULL TEXT: President Rodrigo Duterte inauguration speech

He ordered his Cabinet members to remove “redundant requirements.”

“Compliance with one department or agency, shall be accepted as sufficient for all,” he said.

Long processing and red-tape are among the criticisms against the bureaucracy.

READ: Duterte vows to fortify Filipinos’ faith in gov’t

Ease of doing business, for example, has long been a challenge for the Philippines, which needs to work harder to attract investors and encourage new businesses.

Duterte also warned his secretaries against “changing and bending the rules of government contracts, transactions and projects already approved and awaiting implementation.”

“Changing the rules when the game is ongoing is wrong,” he said.

He said that he “abhors” secrecy and “advocates” transparency in all government contracts.

Challenging his Cabinet members, Duterte said, “Do them and we will work together. Do not do them, we will part sooner than later.” rga/CDG

READ: Duterte takes oath as PH’s 16th President