Some of the eight red tape violators convicted by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) this year are from Eastern Mindanao, an ARTA official revealed.
Engr. Rhuelo D. Aradanas, Regional Chief, ARTA-Eastern Mindanao Region, said through a phone interview that although the reported eight convictions is national in scope, there are those coming from Mindanao.
However, Aradanas cannot specify the exact number, name, or office of the violators since the cases are still pending appeal and are being handled by the ARTA Central Office.
In a report by the Philippine Information Agency last February 12, five cases were from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), one from an undisclosed local government unit, one from the Bureau of Fire Protection, and another from the Philippine Statistics Office.
Aradanas also revealed that most of the cases involve bribery or “lagay”, which is a violation found under Sections 21 and 22 of the Ease of Doing Business Act.
He also mentioned during the Wednesdays Media Forum at the Habi at Kape that they have been conducting numerous entrapment operations within their jurisdiction which include Regions 11 and 12.
“It’s very discreet when it comes to that. ‘We cannot divulge because we have so many cases lodged in our office right now, not only in Region 11 but as well as in Region 12,” Aradanas said.
He said that they found offices that were non-compliant with the Ease of Doing Business Act and that they have filed cases against those who committed major violations while those with minor violations were given seminars or orientations.
Republic Act No. 11032 or Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, is a law intended to expedite the delivery of government services, prevent graft and corruption, and promote transparency through simplified requirements and procedures that will reduce red tape and expedite business and nonbusiness related transactions in government.
The said law punishes acts such as refusal to accept applications or requests with complete requirements without due cause, imposition of additional costs not reflected in the Citizen’s Charter, and fixing and/or collusion with fixers, among others.
Aradanas reminded the public that the ARTA is accepting anonymous complaints through email at complaints@arta.gov.ph, through their social media account, and their hotlines at 8888 and 1-2782.
“Kung mayroon po kayong alam na opisina o tanggapan o empleyado o opisyal na nagdedelay ng mga transaction natin sa opisina, wag po kayong mag-atubiling pumunta po sa amin. Kami ay handang tumulong po sa inyo,” Aradanas said.
