Batangas City – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) opens its South Luzon Field Office located in National Food Authority Compound in Barangay Balagtas, Batangas City, and will be opening its doors and services for CALABARZON and its neighboring provinces on May 16, 2023. ARTA is one of the connected agencies to the office of the President that is tasked to oversee and implement the national policy on ease of doing business and anti-red tape in the Philippines.
The “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Delivering Government Services Act” is a “change-maker” law since it requires a huge shift of mindset of the people in the government, and understanding that this law is designed to benefit the people. Secretary Ernesto Perez – Director General of Anti-Red Tape Authority stated that regardless of stature, (all people coming in the offices during working hours) should be treated as VIPs, and therefore should be entertained as long as they have the proper and complete documents that the agency requires, as required by law.
The ARTA South Luzon Regional field office has been eagerly anticipated engaging in further inter-agency collaborations and coordination, with local government units and other national government agencies including government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities, hospitals, medical centers and water districts.
Their shared aim is to streamline and digitalize government processes, following the directives of the President under the 8-Point Social Economic Agenda which focuses on improving bureaucratic efficiency. Following this recent directive, all government processes must be following a single online system. Business one-stop-shops are not only for the processing and issuance of business permits and licenses, but for all other government programs and initiatives.
Secretary Perez expressed his deepest gratitude to their partner agencies and local government units who have pledged their unwavering support to the Anti-Red Tape Authority, “together, we strive to enhance government service delivery and foster a vibrant business community in this region”.
Batangas was chosen to be the center of their services in the region as it holds a strategic position as a major economic hub, serving as a gateway to international trade and commerce. It is proximately close to the CALABARZON Region that makes it an ideal destination for businesses to thrive and flourish in its diverse economic landscape and dynamic industries. Present on the said event are Batangas Provincial Administrator Willie Racelis, Batangas City Mayor Beverley Dimacuha, ARTA Deputy Director General for Operations Usec. Gerald G. Divinagracia, DILG IV-A Regional Director Ariel O. Inglesia, CESO III, ARTA Deputy Director General for Finance and Administration OIC-Usec. Rabin P. Quilala, DICT Region IV-A and IV –B Regional Director Cheryl C. Ortega and local and national government heads.
