By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
PASAY CITY — To combat unnecessary regulations, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is cultivating a new generation of “RIA Champions,” Secretary Ernesto V. Perez, Director General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said on Tuesday (Dec. 5) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) here in this city.
Following a mandate to implement Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs), the ARTA has been equipping government agencies with the expertise to streamline regulations and ease burdens on both citizens and the public sector.
“’ENRICH 2023’ marks the culmination of this initiative, recognizing the second cohort of RIA Champions who have honed their skills through ARTA’s rigorous training programs,” Perez said.
These champions, now equipped with the knowledge to implement efficient regulatory practices, are poised to become role models within their agencies, paving the way for a smoother, more efficient government for all.
“As participants, as players, let’s cast our minds. This was the reality we face. A reality where a simple task became a Herculean task. A mandate, a change-maker law. The ARTA, the agency under the OP (Office of the President) created under the ‘Ease of Doing Business Law’,” Perez said.
He noted that since 2019, from 297 government agencies on regulatory management system and 2,400 personnel were trained on Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs).
“Barely four months in operation and limited budget, We could not have done this,” Perez said.
“We have sown the seeds of RIAs. With 281 champions from 60 government agencies, representing the ‘beating heart ‘turning insights to actions and data into instruments of government facilitation. A government who serves and not stifles,” Perez said.
The Enrichment Initiative shall serve as guide instruments. Empower next-generation RIA champions mentorship initiative in base camp which is the initial stage which allows ARTA to create committee on anti-red tape, internal guidelines on RIA and completed regulatory mapping.
Training delivery such that should the agency have the necessary prerequisites through foundational courses such as executive briefing and introductory course on RIA, and comprehensive courses wherein RIA Manual Training and Capability Development Assistance on RIA.
“With the support of the British government, we were able to fast track the training program of RIA for three months,” Perez said.
The Enrichment Initiative shall serve as the “roadmap” of ARTA for the next five years consistent with the eight-point agenda of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.
“We stand here, not at the finish line, but a springboard with the support of DAP, Aboitiz, USAID,” Perez added.
“Let us not enrich not only 2023, but every year that follows where red tape is a relic of the past. This is our promise. This is our legacy. This is enriched 2023,” Perez stressed.
Laure Beaufils, British Ambassador to the Philippines, a real milestone in our relationship with ARTA.
“We all agree that the importance of ARTA cannot be ignored. The President of the Philippines could not have been clear without the ARTA,” Beaufils said.
She cited that the Core Energy has invested in the Philippines. Recently, an offshore energy project was inaugurated.
Beaufils noted that the ARTA has been inspired by the British Regulatory Board.
The British Ambassador extended her heartfelt congratulations to the generation of leaders that will take the Philippines into the next level.
Adding prestige to the presence of the partners in the diplomatic corps, the ceremonial recognition was also be attended by partner agencies and private stakeholders, including the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Inc. (UPPAF) for the Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (RESPOND), and the Aboitiz Group.
Counsellor Kwon Soonhyun, Head of the Economic Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, in his message of support, cited that the challenges can also be turned into opportunities in light of the “Ease of Doing Business”.
“It’s kind of an opportunity, a challenge and a job for us,” Soonhyun said.
“I’m looking forward on what you will be doing and a productive cooperation between the Philippines and Korea in the future,” he added.
David Jude L. Sta. Ana, Chief External Affairs Officer & Senior VP of the Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., expressed its deepest thanks for the partnership that not only benefitted 50 institutions, but with many other stakeholders.
“Opening our hearts and minds in ease of doing business and the best practices just like in the British government,” Sta. Ana said.
The Aboitiz executive reiterated its deepest gratitude to the ARTA for the vibrant and dynamic partnership.
Dr. Gilberto M. Llanto, team leader of the University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Inc. (UPPAF) – Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development, urged the ARTA to continue to implement Republic Act 11032, otherwise known as “The Ease of Doing Business”.
Dr. Llanto cited the important role that the ARTA and its partners in nation-building and development through “The Ease of Doing Business”.
He also mentioned some of the technical assistance endeavors that have been undertaken by the ARTA with the support of its development partners and other stakeholders, such as the “Ease of Doing Business Summit” just last week.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a proud partner of ARTA since Day 1. USAID is pleased to be ARTA’s partner. ARTA has capacitated more than 200 participating agencies in the Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs).
The USAID expressed its hope and expects that ARTA will continue to practice their newly-found skills. USAID remains committed in supporting ARTA and the Philippine government.
The Champions in the Phase V Capability Development Assistance on RIA are the Bureau of Local Government of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (BLG-DILG), Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines of the Department of Trade and Industry (CIAP-DTI), Land Transportation Office of the Department of Transportation (LTO-DoTr), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), Department of Agriculture (DA), Land Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (LMB-DENR), Bureau of Treasury of the Department of Finance (BT-DOF), Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution of the Department of Justice (OADR-DOJ), Insurance Commission (IC), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Health Facilities Services Regulatory Bureau of the Department of Health (HFSRB-DOH), Energy Resource Bureau (ERB) and the Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB), Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB), all of the Department of Energy (DOE);
National Home Mortgage Corporation (NHMC), Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPhil), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), National Power Corporation (NPC), Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) of the DTI, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region X, Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Intramuros Administration of the Department of Tourism (IA-DOT), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Export Management Bureau (EMB), and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).
