By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
To give way and show support to business, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director-General Jeremiah Belgica has ordered all national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to automatically approve or extend transactions that remain pending beyond the prescribed processing time.
In a memorandum circular sent to LGU and other government agencies. the ARTA Chief said, “You are directed to submit a report before 7 March 2020 of all application, request, license, certification, permit, clearance, or authorization which will be issued by your agency in compliance with this Circular.”
Belgica revealed that ARTA will conduct a random post-audit to verify their compliance with the Circular starting March 7.
He said this initiative is in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, prescribing the 3-7-20 day processing time.
“All applications or requests shall be acted upon not be longer than three working days in the case of simple transactions, seven working days for complex transactions, and 20 working days for highly-technical transactions which are pending beyond prescribed processing time”, ARTA Director-General added.
Belgica cited provisions of the law that grant automatic approval or automatic extension of license, clearance, permit, certification or authorization.
He said an original application or request shall be deemed approved if a government office or agency fails to approve or disapprove within the prescribed processing time, provided that all required documents have been submitted and all required fees and charges have been paid.
A license, clearance, permit or certification or authorization shall automatically be extended if a government office or agency fails to act on an application for renewal within the prescribed processing time, he added.
