Top officials of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) lauded Gov. Gwen Garcia’s move in pushing forward the policy requiring government agencies to get Capitol’s approval before implementing their programs locally.
ARTA Director General Sec. Ernesto Perez, who was accompanied by Deputy DG for Operations Usec. Gerald Divinagracia, said the ordinance basically helps ARTA in implementing its mandate of monitoring efficiency in government processes and operations.
Under Provincial Ordinance 2023-02, which generally upholds Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code, government entities including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) are required to get the approval of the Province and the Provincial Board before it can implement its plans, programs and projects to all areas within Cebu’s area of jurisdiction.
The ordinance is considered a first in Cebu as it further gives the governor the power to initiate administrative and criminal action against any government official or employee “who may have committed an offense in the performance of his official duties while stationed in or assigned to the province.”
In the same meeting, the governor prided on how Capitol has successfully undertaken various programs especially during the pandemic and the onslaught of typhoon Odette, and how these helped the economic recovery of Cebu.
Capitol's Sugbo Negosyo and Dasig Sugbo programs have been instrumental in the quick recovery of Cebuanos who were adversely affected by the pandemic's economic impact and the typhoon.
The ARTA officials expressed interest to visit the governor again to explore on how Capitol and the agency can further collaborate in certain programs.
ARTA is the primary government agency mandated to administer and implement Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and to monitor and ensure compliance with the national policy on anti-red tape and ease of doing business in the country. | Carlo Lorenciana