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The World Bank, in a survey sometime this year, came out with the
rankings of 178 countries in terms of the ease with which official
business is done in their respective bureaucracies. Sad to say, the
Philippines fell way below the line—number 133.
That is the ugly portrait of how slow or rigid
official procedures are in our bureaucracy because of red tape. The
net effect is our poor investment competitiveness in contrast with
our neighboring countries in the Asian region.
Last year, the government took a major step to
streamline the bureaucracy by eradicating red tape in all its forms.
This was the signing by President Gloria Arroyo of Republic Act
9485, otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.
Beginning this month, Civil Service Month, the
efficacy of the law will be put to a test with the issuance of its
implementing rules and regulations by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
The main goal, according to CSC chair Ricardo Saludo, is to create a
“more client-friendly” bureaucracy.
The features of the law look impressive. If
implemented strictly, they are capable of fully reforming the entire
civil service system.
Red tape has dominated our bureaucracy for so
long, slowing down official and business transactions in government.
Note the following data: Obtaining a housing development permit
takes 88 different signatures. Tax overpayment refunds take eight
years. “Fixing” in government front offices is highly pervasive.
Now, under the anti-red tape law, each
government agency is enjoined to put up the so-called “Citizens
Charter,” a document to be displayed prominently in its office
showing “the range of specific services provided by that office, a
step-by-step guide on how to avail of these services, and standards
on quality and timeliness to be expected from the agency in
rendering these services.”
Under these norms, a business permit or license
is automatically renewed if the government office concerned fails to
act on the application within the prescribed period for such
transaction.
The law seeks to banish government “fixing”
by imposing stiff penalties against the activity. A “fixer”
found plying his trade faces an imprisonment of up to six years or a
fine of up to P200,000. Government officials or employees found
guilty of administrative offenses will be dismissed and perpetually
disqualified from public office.
Citizens are not only encouraged but even
challenged by the CSC to file charges against government officials,
regardless of rank, and employees for “unsatisfactory” service.
Saludo says the citizens have the right to hold
even cabinet secretaries or directors accountable for
“inefficiency, corruption or failure to meet the standards of
public service that an ordinary taxpayer deserves.”
Red tape is a monster that has reared its ugly
head in every bureaucracy. Here in the Philippines, a lowly clerk
finds it expedient to sit on a permit or license application to make
the applicant cough up with a bribe.
It is prevalent in the Bureau of Customs, the
Land Transportation Office, the Bureau of Internal Revenue or even
in ordinary offices involved in the approval of permits and
licenses. The objective is to make the interested parties come
across.
We hope that the implementing rules and
regulations will remain not a mere framework of citizens’ rights
against deliberate government ineptness or inefficiency. The CSC
under its new chair is expected to show vigor and passion in the
enforcement of the law.
In the spirit of Civil Service Month, we call on
the CSC to launch a courtesy campaign in all government agencies and
offices to do away with officious, rude and callous personnel.
The other day, I went to the Quezon City NBI
office for a renewal of my clearance certificate. I found myself way
behind in the long queue of applicants, but a guard, noticing I am a
senior citizen, plucked me out of the line and took me right inside
the transacting office.
In no time at all, the employee concerned
attended to me courteously. It was such heartwarming gesture, which
we rarely find in the public service. I hope this can be replicated
in all government agencies to help not only senior citizens but the
public in general.
agr0324@yahoo.com
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