10 June 2021 – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), has led the panel of experts in reviewing the Regulatory Impact Statements (RISs) of at least eight government agencies this month.
Among the government agencies who have submitted their RISs for review during their panel presentations are the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The draft RISs are the government agencies’ final output for their Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) training provided by ARTA. It is a report on their proposed regulations, including its comprehensive summary of the potential costs and benefits, in an effort to further streamline their systems.
Officials from ARTA, the Better Regulations Office (BRO) under the Office of the Deputy Director General for Operations, and DAP conduct extensive reviews of the draft RISs to polish the proposed reforms before being implemented.
ARTA Undersecretary Ernesto V. Perez, Deputy Director General for Operations, congratulated the Authority as well as the agencies that submitted their draft RSIs for review, for the successful conduct of the panel presentations.
Perez said being a member of the panel of experts was an “enriching experience.”
“The panel presentations were very interesting and a good learning experience for regulatory review,” he said.
“These panel discussions allow ARTA to fulfill its vision of a more collaborative Philippine government. We hope that through these RIS reviews, the government agencies see ARTA as their partners for change and not just a regulatory oversight body,” he added.
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ARTA recommends 412 counts vs FDA drug center official over delays in application processing
9 June 2021 – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has endorsed to the Office of the Ombudsman the filing of charges against the head of the Food and Drug Administration – Center for Drug Regulation and Research (FDA – CDRR) for sitting on hundreds of Automatic Renewal (AR) drug applications.
In its motu propio Disposition dated 8 June 2021 addressed to Ombudsman Samuel Martires, ARTA recommended 412 counts of failure to render government services within the prescribed processing time under Section 21 (e) of the Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 against FDA – CDRR Director Jesusa Joyce N. Cirunay.
This, after the red tape watchdog found a “prima facie case” following Cirunay’s admission that “there has been delay in the processing of applications before her office.”
The said admission was stated in Cirunay’s reply letters to ARTA’s May 11 Show Cause Order, which gave her seven (7) working days to explain why no administrative or criminal case should be filed against her.
“Cursory perusal of Respondent Director Cirunay’s attachment in both her Letters would show that there has been delay in the processing of the Four Hundred and Twelve (412) applications. In fact, non of the applications met the mandate of R.A. No. 11032, specifically as to processing time,” the ARTA’s Disposition read.
In addition, the Authority noted that FDA’s Citizen’s Charter only provides 20 days for the release and processing of applications for renewal of registration from receipt of the complete requirements.
It can be recalled that some of the AR drug applications have been with FDA – CDRR as far back as 2014.
Meanwhile, the ARTA also lodged a formal complaint against Cirunay for claiming that they only have one (1) pending application in view of the unacted 2, 250 low risk to no risk AR applications for Certificate of Product Registration discovered by no less than the Authority when it conducted an inspection in January. This, because its validation with the Philippine Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry, Inc. (PCPI) revealed that there are still eight (8) remaining AR applications awaiting action.
“In view of the foregoing facts, this Complaint-Affidavit is filed for the purpose of initiating the necessary action against Jesusa Joyce N. Cirunay, Director IV of the FDA-CDRR, and for other appropriate crimes as the Honorable Ombudsman may see fit and proper to indict Respondent,” it said.
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STATEMENT OF ARTA SECRETARY JEREMIAH BELGICA ON THE CREATION OF CART IN LGUs
It is pleasing to know that the local government units are complying in the creation of Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CART), including the Davao City led by Mayor Sara Duterte. We welcome and look forward to collaborating with you in the ongoing fight against red tape. I would also like to thank the Mayors for setting an example to other LGUs. As of May 4, a total of 1,870 LGUs has created their CART, and the number is expected to increase. This step is especially beneficial when it comes to expediting government transactions as the committee is responsible for streamlining and reengineering the systems and procedures.
It has always been our dear President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal to streamline processes for Filipinos and we are grateful that there are LGUs who are already heeding his call.
We earnestly urge other LGUs, national government agencies, and other government instrumentalities to end the long-standing culture of inaction. It is about time to create your own CART and start taking steps in improving the government services through elimination of bureaucratic red tape.
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