25 July 2023 – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) would like to thank the Commission on Audit (COA) for issuing an Unmodified Opinion rating to ARTA in its Annual Audit Report for the last two consecutive years ending in 2021 and 2022. We are pleased that the COA found that ARTA’s financial statements in the past two years are just, aligned, and adhere to the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSA).

I would also like to thank the COA for their observations and recommendations outlined in the same report, specifically on investigating complaints in a timely manner, which is a part of our mandate under Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

Following the observations that were made formal in an exit conference on May 17, 2023, ARTA immediately implemented measures to address the two main points in the subject matter, which are: a) to set definitive timelines provided in the processes of Section 5, ‘Assessment of complaint whether it is within the jurisdiction of ARTA,’ and Section 7, ‘Inform the concerned agency to submit an answer online to the complainant, as well as b) Observance of timelines in some steps for investigation and resolving complaints prescribed under ARTA Memorandum Circular 7, Series of 2021.

To maintain transparency in our processes, the ARTA-Office of the Deputy Director General for Legal (ODDGL) published its Rules of Procedure in the Filing and Resolving Complaints in Manila Bulletin on March 20, 2023, which effectively revised the previously observed guidelines by the office and directly addressed COA’s observations on ARTA’s handling of complaints. We are also in the process of making improvements to the ODDGL’s documentation and filing system. These are part of our routine review of all our processes and systems to ensure fast and effective responses to the needs of the transacting public.

Further, given the limited resources of ARTA, we have initiated institutional reforms to increase the agency’s existing personnel and augment our budget through a formal request to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

ARTA is optimistic as the changes we have initiated have resulted in a 98.6 percent closure rate, or 15,269 out of 15,476 complaints and concerns received by ARTA as of July 17, 2023, having been resolved and/or referred to concerned agencies.

Ultimately, ARTA recognizes the vital role of the Commission in ensuring a check and balance in the government to uphold accountability and integrity in all government institutions. Needless to say, the observations and recommendations of the COA are highly relevant to continuously improving the way ARTA delivers its services to the people.

Moving forward, ARTA assures that it will take note of the recommendations of vital constitutional bodies as we continuously perform our mandate. And under the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., ARTA will utilize the whole-of-nation approach to effectively deliver government services and push for key reforms, including streamlining and digitalization of processes that will improve bureaucratic efficiency and promote ease of doing business in the country.

END

STATEMENT OF SECRETARY ERNESTO V. PEREZ ON THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT’S UNMODIFIED OPINION RATING ON THE ANTI-RED TAPE AUTHORITY FOR CY 2O22

25 July 2023 – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) would like to thank the Commission on Audit (COA) for issuing an Unmodified Opinion rating to ARTA in its Annual Audit Report for the last two consecutive years ending in 2021 and 2022. We are pleased that the COA found that ARTA’s financial statements in the past two years are just, aligned, and adhere to the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSA).

I would also like to thank the COA for their observations and recommendations outlined in the same report, specifically on investigating complaints in a timely manner, which is a part of our mandate under Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

Following the observations that were made formal in an exit conference on May 17, 2023, ARTA immediately implemented measures to address the two main points in the subject matter, which are: a) to set definitive timelines provided in the processes of Section 5, ‘Assessment of complaint whether it is within the jurisdiction of ARTA,’ and Section 7, ‘Inform the concerned agency to submit an answer online to the complainant, as well as b) Observance of timelines in some steps for investigation and resolving complaints prescribed under ARTA Memorandum Circular 7, Series of 2021.

To maintain transparency in our processes, the ARTA-Office of the Deputy Director General for Legal (ODDGL) published its Rules of Procedure in the Filing and Resolving Complaints in Manila Bulletin on March 20, 2023, which effectively revised the previously observed guidelines by the office and directly addressed COA’s observations on ARTA’s handling of complaints. We are also in the process of making improvements to the ODDGL’s documentation and filing system. These are part of our routine review of all our processes and systems to ensure fast and effective responses to the needs of the transacting public.

Further, given the limited resources of ARTA, we have initiated institutional reforms to increase the agency’s existing personnel and augment our budget through a formal request to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

ARTA is optimistic as the changes we have initiated have resulted in a 98.6 percent closure rate, or 15,269 out of 15,476 complaints and concerns received by ARTA as of July 17, 2023, having been resolved and/or referred to concerned agencies.

Ultimately, ARTA recognizes the vital role of the Commission in ensuring a check and balance in the government to uphold accountability and integrity in all government institutions. Needless to say, the observations and recommendations of the COA are highly relevant to continuously improving the way ARTA delivers its services to the people.

Moving forward, ARTA assures that it will take note of the recommendations of vital constitutional bodies as we continuously perform our mandate. And under the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., ARTA will utilize the whole-of-nation approach to effectively deliver government services and push for key reforms, including streamlining and digitalization of processes that will improve bureaucratic efficiency and promote ease of doing business in the country.

END