LGUs told to inspect MSME food processors

MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is deputizing local government units (LGUs) to conduct inspections of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in food processing as prerequisite to the issuance of a license to operate (LTO) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).??The initiative is part of efforts to ease the backlog in releasing LTOs.??

In a statement, ARTA said  the inspections would start in Quezon City, which has the highest volume of businesses in the country. ??

To discuss how to go about the conduct of inspection, ARTA director general Jeremiah Belgica met with the FDA, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Health Department of Quezon City’s local government and the National Association of Business Permits and Licensing Office  Friday. ??

At present, LGUs conduct inspections for sanitary permitting. Firms engaged in the manufacture, packaging, re-packaging, import, export, distribution, and retail of products including processed food need to secure LTO.??

Through the deputization of inspection functions, LGUs would be able to inspect food manufacturing enterprises both for the issuance of sanitary permits and FDA’s LTO. ??

Prior to conduct of inspections, LGUs would be trained and given a standard checklist on good manufacturing practice regulations used by the FDA.??

ARTA and FDA held meetings last year amid complaints about pending applications. “Working together is the core of what we are doing in ARTA.

That’s why we are grateful for FDA and Quezon City who have welcomed and are leading the developments that we need to see in the government. Through this, we will be able to deliver faster and ultimately better service to the people,” Belgica said. ??ARTA is the agency responsible for overseeing the implementation of Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act which seeks to reduce red tape and expedite transactions with the  government. ??Under RA 11032, all government agencies should follow the prescribed processing time as follows: three working days for simple transactions, seven working days for complex ones, and 20 working days for those considered highly technical.