EDITORIAL - Marching order

On Day One, the first marching order given by President Duterte to all department secretaries and agency heads was to cut red tape. Remove redundant requirements, he said, and reduce processing time for all transactions with government.

It is an enormously popular order, but he must see to it that everyone in government gets the message. The Department of the Interior and Local Government, in particular, must make sure the presidential order is heard loudly and clearly all the way down to the smallest unit of government, the barangay.

Many local government units, whose elected officials often behave as if their turfs are independent republics, are notorious for red tape. Investors both local and foreign have often pointed to red tape in LGUs as one of the biggest disincentives to investment. The problem is a key factor in the country’s low ranking in international surveys on ease of doing business.

Duterte may have to personally step in, not just wielding the persuasive powers of the presidency but also invoking alliances to make local politicians toe the line. In many LGUs notorious for red tape, officials in power make transacting with government and doing business easy for their relatives and cronies, while making life difficult for those without connections.

Having served as a local government official for two decades, Duterte knows that every layer of red tape opens opportunities for graft. He is also aware that red tape, whether stemming from corruption or inefficiency, spells misery for the public.

In his inaugural address, Duterte identified the erosion of public faith in government and its leaders as the nation’s biggest problem. Red tape is one of the main factors behind this. In restoring that faith, cutting red tape is an indispensable element.

Those who personally benefit from red tape are sure to devise ways of ignoring his order. Similar directives have been issued in previous administrations, with little effect. Duterte, who has promised “real change,” must show quickly that this time he means business.