30 business groups back ARTA

MANILA, Philippines — Over 30 business groups have expressed support for the Anti-Red Tape Authority amid calls from the Office of the Ombudsman for ARTA’s abolition.

The business organizations urged the two bodies to instead work together to improve government services.

“The difficulty of doing business with the government has always been a problem for businessmen, and a disincentive to invest in the Philippines. So it was welcomed when Congress passed Republic Act 11032, which created the ARTA,” the business groups said in a joint statement yesterday.

“While much improvement is still needed in the area of ease of doing business, ARTA, in the three short years of its creation, has done its share and delivered through the hard work of its people,” the groups added.

They pointed out that approvals of business permits and licenses have been simplified by ARTA.

Under RA 11032, all services in government should be acted upon within the prescribed period of three days for simple transactions, seven for complex and 20 days for highly technical.

The groups said they were concerned when the ombudsman called for the abolition of ARTA.

“We agree that the ombudsman has a big role in improving government services, but ARTA’s primary task is to improve services to the public,” the groups said.

They said the Office of the Ombudsman and ARTA complement each other’s functions.

Among the signatories of the joint statement are the Alyansa Agrikultura, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Anvil Business Club, Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Philippines, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Cebu Business Club, Cebu Leads Foundation, Connected Women, Employers Confederation of the Philippines and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

Other signatories are the Management Association of the Philippines, Microfinance Council of the Philippines, People Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation - Go Negosyo, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives and Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.