Get job done in 15 days, frontline bureaucracy told

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has ordered government entities performing frontline services to respond to public requests and concerns within 15 days.

The directive is contained in Memorandum Circular No. 44 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea last May 4. 

The memorandum formalized a verbal order that Duterte issued to agencies during the early days of his presidency. 

“All government agencies and instrumentalities including government-owned and controlled corporations performing frontline services as defined in Republic Act No. 9485 are hereby directed to respond to all public requests and concerns within 15 days from receipt thereof, unless a shorter period is provided under applicable laws and issuances,” the memorandum read. 

Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 requires the state to reduce red tape and expedite government transactions.

The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees requires public officials and employees to respond to letters, telegrams or other means of communication sent by the public within 15 working days. 

The law has defined frontline services as “the process or transaction between clients and government offices or agencies involving applications for any privilege, right, permit, reward, license, concession or for any modification, renewal or extension of the enumerated applications and/or requests which are acted upon in the ordinary course of business of the agency or office concerned.”

Medialdea cited the need for the state to strengthen the public’s communication channel to the government and to ensure that public entities are responsive and service oriented. 

Duterte has announced a plan to cut the processing time of government transactions even before assuming office. 

He has said all applications for permits should be acted upon within three days. He has also directed officials to ensure that there would be no long queues in their offices.