By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MAKATI CITY — The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the British Embassy Manila (BEM) on Tuesday (Sept. 30) held a Ceremonial Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance regulatory reforms here at the Makati Diamond Residences.
The MOU symbolizes a strengthened partnership between the ARTA and the BEM towards advancing regulatory reforms and promoting ease of doing business in line with the Bagong Pilipinas vision today.
It is geared towards technical cooperation and in enhancing regulatory quality and streamlining processes between the Philippine government and the British government.
In the fireside chat, Secretary Ernesto Perez said that the engagement of the BEM and the UK government dates back during the creation of ARTA in 2019 and since them have shared their best practices.
Perez cited the Yearly Impact Book which they use in the regulatory assessment of the ARTA mandate.
He emphasized that one of the concerns of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) is the ease of doing business.
“I thank the British government for this continuing support,” Perez said.
“We cannot go wrong with the full support of the advance country, the United Kingdom,” he said.
“More than the numbers, the message is important,” Perez said.
He stressed that ARTA is serious in implementing these reforms.
On streamlining the semiconductor industry, Perez said “We know that the Philippines is no. 5 in the production of nickel.”
“One of the highlights of the MOU is that of measuring what we have accomplished so far,” Perez said.
He cited the presence of the British Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines.
“I really thank the support of the British Embassy and the presence of the British Chamber,” Perez said.
“The Filipinos are really worth living for,” he added.
Perez also cited the 10 good Philippine regulatory principles which the agencies can follow.
“On the 8-point economic agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., I know he also wants to prioritize the private sector,” Perez said.
“The focus is streamlining and digitalize,” he added.
Perez noted that the priority sector is the telecoms and semiconductor sector and with the collaboration with the British government, it will be streamlined and digitalized.
He stressed that if the proposed bill is passed in the 20th Congress, ARTA will be given subpoena powers to address corruption, as well as an increase in the budget of ARTA.
“Simple matters, simple complaints, you have to inform us so that we can address them immediately,” Perez said.
BEM Charge d’Affaires Michael Edward Welch cited the ease of doing business as an engine of growth.
“I’m confident that with this support, we can work with the regulatory reforms,” Welch said.
“A measure of accountability against international standards,” he added.
“I think one of the key measures is transparency,” Welch said.
Messages of support to the collaboration between the ARTA and the BEM were affirmed by the British Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and Department of Finance. ###
