30 May 2024 – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) celebrated its sixth anniversary through the 6Th State of the ARTA Address (SOAA): Katuwang sa Isang Layunin Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on 24 May 2024 at The Tent City, Manila Hotel.
Graced by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin and esteemed members of key government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and the diplomatic corps, this event commemorated six years of ARTA leading the charge in fighting red tape in the country.
In his SOAA, ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez highlighted the agency’s key initiatives that have contributed to improving the business climate and encouraging more strategic investments in the country. In particular, he emphasized key efforts in formulating policies, capacitating agencies on regulatory impact assessments, resolving complaints, addressing ordinances on pass-through fees, and formulating Joint Memorandum Circulars (JMCs), among others.
“In just three hundred and sixty-two days, we have laid the groundwork supporting a future brimming with promise and opportunity; naipunla natin ang matitibay na pundasyong ito para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” Secretary Perez said.
Uplifted by the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Secretary Perez also credited these achievements to the men and women of ARTA, saying “This is not just my speech. This is your achievement. You are the ones driving change. You are the unwavering force. You are the ones making the impossible, possible.”
Witnessing all these, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, in his keynote speech, extended commendations to ARTA, highlighting, “For sure, you now deserve the recognition and commendation that you’ve been relentlessly according to the cities and municipalities across our country. You have thereby become the beacon of our national agencies and LGUs in the dispensation of public service. The President is grateful and appreciative of your valuable role.”
In addition to the SOAA, another key aspect of the celebration was the launch of the Philippine Global Competitiveness Dashboard. Developed in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Asian Institute of Management – Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center (AIM-RSNPCC), and Liveable Cities Philippines, this online dashboard contains 20 global indices set to help stakeholders monitor and analyze the country’s competitiveness.
Partner agencies from the private sector were also present to celebrate ARTA’s milestones. Representing Mr. Sabin Aboitiz and the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), Fatima Mateo of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. expressed their support for ARTA, saying “We are fortunate to be able to work with an agency that shares our vision of a business environment that is open, transparent, and supportive of innovation and growth.”
Meanwhile, former Senator and co-convenor of the Buklod Bayani Coalition, Atty. Joey Lina highlighted, ”In the last two years, under the stable and passionate leadership of Secretary Ernesto V. Perez, ARTA has walked the talk and talked the walk.”
Among the Diplomatic Corps who graced the event were British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Simon Fluss, Norway Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Halaas Lyster, Malaysia Ambassador to the Philippines Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Republic of Korea Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa, German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, Canadian Embassy Charge d’Affaires Guy Boileau, Korean Embassy Counselor Kwon Soonhyun and Commercial Attache An Eungsoo, Australian Embassy First Secretary Connie Lo, and Malaysian Embassy Assistant Trade Attache Adhwa Azmil.
Also present in the event to celebrate ARTA’s anniversary were National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Lope B. Santos III, Food and Drug Administration Director General Dr. Samuel A. Zacate, Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Pedro M. Unabia Sr., Cagayan de Oro City Councilor George Goking, Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) Undersecretary (Usec) Al-Azree Mohammadsali and Ambassador Marciano A. Paynor Jr., Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Usec. Joee Guilas, Department of Agriculture Usec. Allan Quimson Umali, Department of Finance (DOF) Usec. Charlito Martin R. Mendoza and OIC-Usec. Niño Raymond B. Alvina, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Deputy Director General Adolfo Penales Gutierrez, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary (ASec) Katrina Grace C. Ongco, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Assistant Commissioner Ariel Ronquillo, DILG ASec. Francisco R. Cruz, DTI ASec. Leonila Baluyot, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Managing Director Eugene Teves, Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Vice President Dr. Dolores T. Quiambao, People’s Television Network Inc. (PTNI) General Manager Analisa V. Puod, League of Cities Philippines OIC Deputy Executive Director for Policy Programs and Projects Soleil Manzano and National Food Authority (NFA) Acting Administrator Larry Del Rosario Lacson.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Honorary Chairman and Treasurer Sergio Jr. Ortiz-Luis, Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce President Dr. Jesus M. Jardin and Chairman of the Board Raymundo Talimio Jr., Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industries Philippines President Hans How and Vice President Stephen Khaw, Philippine-Norway Business Council President Carl Martin Faannessen, German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Marie Antoniette Mariano with Mr. Yves Aguilos, Head of Government Affairs and Ms. Isabelle Cebu, Government Affairs Associate, Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines President Bo Lundqvist and Administration Officer Knaebel Ann Crisyena Munda, Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Chairman Christine Fajardo, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil.) Inc. Chairman Rex N. Daryanani, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Director Dr. Diana Edralin, Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. Director Kook Il Jeon, and British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Marketing Events & Manager Keenah Bernadette S. Ticzon and Research & Project Officer Maria Mikaela C. Josef, and also celebrated with ARTA.
Among the development and private sector partners during the celebration were AIM-RSNPCC Chairman Guillermo M. Luz, University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Inc. Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (UPPAF- RESPOND) Chief of Party Dr. Enrico L. Basilio, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Urban Connect Chief of Party Alex Brillantes Jr., United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Jay De Quiros, USAID-URBAN CONNECT Team Leader Maria Fe V. Mendoza, World Bank Consultant Atty. Kim Baltao-Chandra,
Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) Governance Chair Imelda C. Tiongson, BizNews Asia President and CEO Tony Lopez, Philippine Coalition of Consumer Welfare Inc. Ricardo C. Samaniego, PwC Philippines Deals and Corporate Finance Managing Partner Mary Jade Roxas-Divinagracia, PLDT Site Portfolio Manager Jake V. Robillo and Head of Litigation & Local Tax Advocacy Jonathan J. Larga, Globe One Gov – Business Development Manager Paula E. Venturina, Converge Government Relations Manager Jay-ar S. Maguddatu and Government Relations Paralegal Glenn P. Anayron, Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company (Meralco) Vice President and Head of Enterprise and National Government Maria Cecilia M. Domingo, Central BIZ Ricky Joseph Martinez, Bernice Gretchel P. Garcia–Rama, and South BIZ Robert Nery, PhilTower Consortium Inc. Business Development Managers Azenith Guison and Nicole Ang, Transcend Towers Infrastructure (Philippines) Inc. and American Tower CEO Abhishek Mishra, DITO Regulations and Standards Officer Annabelle C. Vecinal and Regulatory Officer Eleazar B. Ultado.
Amidst all the commendations received by ARTA, the agency will continue to strive harder for an improved business climate in the country. This is in fulfillment of President Marcos’ call for bureaucratic efficiency in a Bagong Pilipinas.
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