To further improve the country’s ease of doing business, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA ) with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Buklod Bayani Coalition (BBC) on 05 March 2024 at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) office.
The MOA forged the partnership among ARTA, DILG, and BBC to actively involve concerned private sector stakeholders in ensuring efficiency in the permitting and licensing processes of businesses and addressing red tape concerns down to the localities. The BBC is a coalition comprising the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport), the International Chamber of Commerce – Philippines (ICCP), and the Rotary Club of Makati Central (RCMC) Foundation.
Particularly, the MOA stated that the BBC, as ARTA Champions, will work hand-in-hand in the promotion of ARTA’s ease of doing business initiatives and programs, with the help of the DILG in ensuring compliance and coordination of local government units (LGUs).
“Today we have the privilege of reaffirming these agreements with both our esteemed secretaries present in one hall. I stress that their offices [ARTA and DILG] play equally vital roles in realizing our business friendly and investor ready Philippines,” BBC Secretary General Roberto A. Alvarez said.
BBC will also promote the administration’s brand of governance, “Bagong Pilipinas,” specifically on business-related concerns.
In addition, the BBC is also tasked with establishing the Buklod Bayani Hotline System and Headquarters (Office), where business enterprises can channel their inquiries and concerns, which can be relayed to the DILG, ARTA, and other concerned government agencies.
In the Agreement, with the coordination of the DILG’s access to the localities, ARTA will also extend technical and other related forms of assistance to the BBC and its programs, projects, and activities, with the overall aim of attracting investors and developing an ecosystem conducive to businesses.
“I am filled with optimism as we stand united in this purpose. Together with dedication, collaboration, and a shared vision, we will transform the business climate, unleashing the economic might of the Philippines and contributing significantly to the rise of a Bagong Pilipinas,” ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez said.
During the open discussion, it was raised to the distinguished participants to form a coalition to fortify recently signed agreements.
DILG Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. suggested including the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as part of the coalition, as they are also highly valuable agencies with relevant expertise in implementing efficiency in the business sector to further improve the ease doing business in the country.
PCCI President Enunina V. Mangio also extended support to the partnership in the signing ceremony, stating “We express our collective commitment to help enhance the business climate in the Philippines through the design of the Memorandum of Agreement between the BBC, ARTA, and DILG.”
“The MOA set a solid foundation for our collaborative effort to combat red tape and promote the ease of doing business. It is a testament to our shared vision of a thriving Philippine economy made possible by cutting bureaucratic red tape and, if I may borrow the statement of our Secretary Perez [from President Marcos], rolling out the red carpet for investment,” she added.
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to serve the Filipino people under the banner of “Bagong Pilipinas,” ARTA vows to continue forging partnerships with government agencies and private sector stakeholders to hasten the improvement of ease of doing business in the country.
