‘Ease of Doing Business’ law enforced sans IRR

MANILA – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has started enforcing the Ease of Doing Business law (Republic Act 11032) in the country despite the absence of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), its head said on Wednesday.

ARTA officer-in-charge, Director General Ernesto V. Perez, said ARTA has in fact resolved 52.63 percent of the 166 complaints of red tape it received from various business groups and individuals.

“Even without the implementing rules and regulations, we are already implementing the law because the law says it is effective June 17, 2018,” Perez said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“So, we’re not relying on the implementing rules and regulations, we are continuing with our two “We pronged approach to the implementation of the law,” he added, referring to receiving and acting on complaints and training of related government agencies.

Perez admitted that ARTA is “not delighted” with the increase in the number of complaints.

He, however, considered it as indication that people have started to recognize the

functions of ARTA, and that people are willing to take an active part in combatting the red tape problem “through the mere act of reporting inefficiencies”.

The ARTA chief said that government agencies have been asked to comply with the Ease of Doing Business law by updating their Citizen’s Charter.

Perez said the law covers all government transactions in the executive branch, including local government units and government-owned and controlled corporations.

“The law also covers not only business but also non-business related transaction,” he said.

Out of the 166 complaints ARTA has received, Perez said 48 percent questioned the kind service they got while claiming Social Security System benefits and birth certificates, while 47% about business permits and licenses to operate.

Under the law, Perez said simple request should be addressed within three working days instead of 15

days while seven days for complex and 20 working days for highly-technical transactions.

Perez said their office already prepared a draft of the IRR subject for approval.

Under Republic Act 11032 that created ARTA, he said only a permanent Director General, who is yet to be appointed by the President, together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary, and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson can promulgate the IRR of the law.