TACLOBAN CITY – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) will soon issue notices to local government units (LGUs) that have yet to comply with Republic Act 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
“By August 15, we will send out notices to explain why certain LGUs have not complied. Before that, we have instructed our offices to conduct inspections and require these LGUs to submit their action plans,” ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez stated in a press conference on Tuesday, August 6.
Out of the 1,634 cities and municipalities nationwide, 48 LGUs have been recognized by the agency for their compliance with the law. Recent additions to this list include the city government of Ormoc and the municipal government of Palompon.
“If these LGUs fail to provide a valid explanation for their non-compliance, we will have no choice but to conduct investigations and file appropriate charges with either the Office of the Ombudsman or the Civil Service Commission,” Sec. Perez added.
He emphasized that being a low-income municipality does not exempt LGUs from implementing the law.
For example, Guinsiliban, a 6th-class municipality in Camiguin, and San Roque, a 4th-class municipality in Northern Samar, have successfully complied.
“It really requires political will from the mayor. If the mayor is committed and directs the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) and barangay officials, compliance will follow,” Perez noted.
Although ARTA has recognized only 48 compliant LGUs so far, Sec.Perez clarified that this does not imply that others are non-compliant.
ARTA is working with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to align their data with the list of compliant LGUs.
Regarding connectivity issues, Sec.Perez mentioned that a joint memorandum circular involving the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), DILG, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other relevant agencies will address permitting processes for shared passive telecommunication infrastructure and fiber optic pole construction.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
