ARTA: Many agencies are not yet ready to streamline flagship projects

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said delays in digitalizing the permitting procedures of national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) are hampering the streamlining of applications for infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs).

On the sidelines of the signing of the implementing rules and regulations of Executive Order (EO) No. 59 on Tuesday, ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez said Business: “Right now, not all LGUs and national government agencies are fully automated or fully online,” Mr. Perez said.

“This is why the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is very keen to enable LGUs to meet this requirement,” he added.

EO 59 directed ARTA to accelerate the progress of IFPs by simplifying the system for obtaining permits before the projects could proceed.

Mr. Perez also said that EO 59 can also help ARTA accelerate the introduction of its own eBOSS (electronic business one-stop-shop) system, by requiring NG agencies to also adopt eBOSS in some form.

“For me this is a test case. If we can be successful in the big infrastructure projects, we can even apply this to small businesses,” he said.

Asked about the private sector’s response, he said the Private Sector Advisory Council, Management Association of the Philippines and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry were very supportive.

“Even foreign chambers like the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines were optimistic,” Perez said.

“Most of our investors are foreigners and they are very optimistic about EO 59,” he added.

EO 59, signed on April 30, aims to remove delays in the issuance of permits, approvals, permits, certificates.fior permits to ensure the timely completion of the IFPs.

According to the National Economic and Development Authority, the government has a pipeline of 185 IFPs worth US$9.54 trillion. — Justine Irish D. Table