GOVT CALLED TO ERADICATE RED TAPE

Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara has called on the authorities to be more aggressive in eliminating red tape to ensure efficient and honest delivery of services in all government agencies.

"Red tape can result to poor investment and competitiveness as it can drive away potential investors who are discouraged to deal with the government and would rather prefer to do business in friendlier and more efficient jurisdictions," Angara said.

"Government agencies are now becoming less corrupt thanks to PNoy's matuwid na daan. But to really excel, we must be more efficient and be able to compete with our neighbors," he pointed out.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) recently reported that 7 percent or 67 of the 929 government agencies nationwide failed in the frontline service survey conducted last year. This is a significant improvement from the 25 percent of offices that failed in 2012.

Moreover, offices that obtained an "excellent" rating increased from 8 percent in 2012 to 18 percent or 168 offices out of 929 in 2013.

Meanwhile, majority or 60 percent of the offices were rated "good," while 4 percent were rated "outstanding" and 11 percent as "acceptable."

"The numbers are improving but we should aim for the best. No government office should be failing the anti-red tape test anymore," Angara said, challenging the heads of those who failed the test to be accountable and immediately address the deficiencies in their services.

The evaluation is done through the Report Card Survey (RCS) given to clients right after they avail of a frontline service of a government office to obtain feedback on how the office complies with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) and fulfills customer satisfaction.

Among the salient provisions of ARTA include the no-noon break policy, no fixing activities, easy-to-read IDs or nameplates, presence of public assistance and complaints desks, and the implementation of the agency's Citizen's Charter which contains the types of frontline services offered with the step-by-step procedure, the person responsible for each step, time needed to transact, documents required, and fees.

According to CSC, government agencies that failed the RCS will undergo the Service Delivery Excellence Program to determine and address problem areas in frontline service delivery.

"The CSC deserves credit for making the survey results public but it should closely monitor the agencies with poor performance. The CSC should also make sure that government agencies that have committed light or grave offenses are properly sanctioned," the lawmaker said.

Under the ARTA, failure to render frontline services within the prescribed period will be penalized with 30 days suspension without pay for the first offense, three months suspension without pay for the second offense, and dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public service for the third offense.

Fixing and collusion will also be penalized with dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public service.

Angara urged the public to be more vigilant and to report to the CSC complaints against violations of the ARTA.

"The people should know their rights when dealing with the government, and at the same time, government employees should be reminded of their responsibilities as civil servants," he concluded.