Duterte streamlines gov’t processes, removes redundant functions

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered government agencies to eliminate overregulation to hasten its processes and improve the ease of doing business in the country.

Duterte, through Administrative Order No. 23, said all processes in excess including those which are “redundant or burdensome” to the public shall be removed.

“They shall retain only such steps, procedures, and requirements as may be necessary to fulfill their legal mandates and policy objectives,” Duterte said in his order signed last Feb. 21 which was made public Thursday.

“The imposition of tedious or time-consuming regulations on socially beneficial activities, as to render such activity impossible or extremely difficult to undertake, shall be targeted for reform,” he added.

Under the AO, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) shall monitor and ensure compliance in eliminating overregulation.

Failing to comply with the order will result in the filing of administrative cases, it added.

Duterte, in May 2018, signed the Ease of Doing Business Act to reduce processing times of business transactions in government agencies.

Edited by EDV