CCCI allots office space for anti-red tape agency

CEBU, Philippines — In a bid to forge closer coordination with the government, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) offers an office space for the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Cebu operation.

“We are offering ARTA a space in the CCCI building to hold their regional office,” said CCCI president Virgilio Espeleta.

According to Espeleta, ARTA’s creation is important for the private sector, as they are more susceptible to some government’s under-the-table bribes.

ARTA is mandated to check the government’s performance in streamlining bureaucratic processes.

Under the Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Services Delivery Act of 2018, ARTA is the body that will improve the quality of government services, promote transparency and cut red tape.

ARTA will implement the prescribed processing time for business transactions.

The agency should finish simple transactions in three working days, seven days for complex ones, and 20 days for highly technical transactions.

Failure of an agency to finish within the prescribed number of days will mean automatic approval of the request.

Espeleta reiterated that the Cebu business community through CCCI can easily coordinate with the agency, saying this is part of the Chamber’s thrust to work closely with the government.

Locally, CCCI is also joining hands with the Cebu City government specifically in the creation of Cebu Investment Concierge, among other joint initiatives.