Over 30 business groups oppose call to abolish ARTA

Over 30 groups — including local business associations and foreign chambers — on Monday objected to the call of the Ombudsman to abolish the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).

In a joint statement, the business groups expressed their concern over the possible abolition of the office, which is mandated to improve the ease of doing business in the country.

“We were concerned when the Ombudsman called for ARTA’s abolition,” the statement read.

“We agree that the Ombudsman within the wide scope of its authorities, has a role to play in improving government services, but ARTA’s primary role is to improve government services,” it added.

The statement was released a month after the Office of the Ombudsman said it will ask Congress to abolish ARTA, saying it is unconstitutional as it “usurps or encroaches” upon the powers of the Ombudsman.

The creation of the ARTA is provided for under Section 17 of Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery signed in May 2018 by then-President Rodrigo Duterte.

The law mandates ARTA to ensure that simple transactions with government agencies should only take three days, complex transactions seven days, and highly technical transactions 20 days.

“We would like to appeal to the Ombudsman to work with ARTA, so they may together give us the improvement in government services we need, and continue the upgrading that has been started so effectively,” the business groups said.

Among the signatories of the joint statement are Alyansa Agrikultura, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the Anvil Business Club, the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Philippines, and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

Also signatories are the Cebu Business Club, the Cebu Leads Foundation, Connected Women, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Inc., the Filipina CEO Circle, and the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines.

Others were the Fintech Alliance Philippines, Green EDSA Movement, the Institute of Corporate Directors, the Investment House Association of the Philippines, the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines Inc., the Justice Reform Initiative, and the Makati Business Club.

Completing the list of signatories were the Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industries Philippines, the Management Association of the Philippines, the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, the People Management Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Chamber for Entrepreneurship Foundation-Go Negosyo, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Philippine Council of Association and Association Executives, the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., the Philippine Franchise Association, the Philippine Retailers Association, the Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia, and the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc.

Sought for comment on the issue last month, ARTA declined to provide an official response but said it respects the opinion of the Office of the Ombudsman. —KBK, GMA News