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Bill empowers Duterte to cut red tape, curb corruption

SPEAKER Lord Allan Velasco and Majority Leader Martin Romualdez led the House of Representatives in filing a measure granting President Rodrigo Duterte anti-red tape powers.

Processing and Issuance of National and Local Permits, Licenses, and Certifications aims at accelerating the country’s socioeconomic recovery and ensure an effective government response to the present health crisis.

In a statement, Romualdez said as soon as the House of Representatives receives the letter of certification from Malacañang the measure will be immediately passed on third and final reading.

Upon the instruction of Speaker Velasco, Romualdez said the House of Representatives will act according to the desire of the President to streamline the issuance of licenses and permits during national emergencies.

“Upon the directive of the President and the instruction of Speaker Velasco, the House of Representatives will work on the passage of the anti-red tape measure before we adjourn the special session,” Romualdez said.

Under the leadership of Velasco, the House is in full support of the marching orders from President Duterte for Congress to go all out in helping curb red tape and corruption in all levels of governance,.

“We have to help the President in his campaign to put a stop to deep-rooted, systemic and systematic corruption in government. Tama ang ating Presidente na hindi dapat nahihirapan ang mga tao sa kanilang transaksiyon sa pamahalaan,” Romualdez said.

Section 2 of the measure gives President Duterte the authority to suspend the requirements for national and local permits, licenses and certifications, and to streamline and expedite the process of issuance.

The bill covers all agencies of the Executive branch, including departments, bureaus, offices, commissions, boards, councils; government instrumentalities, government owned and controlled corporations.

“One of the strategic measures is to reduce transaction costs in all government agencies and provide an efficient delivery of its services while maintaining integrity and accountability in government service and the promotion of transparency in the transactions of the government with the public, encompassing a program for the adoption of simplified requirements and procedures,” the authors added.

The bill seeks to authorize the President of the Philippines to expedite the processing and issuance of national and local permits, licenses and certifications in times of national emergency.

The President, under the measure, shall have the authority to accelerate and streamline regulatory processes and procedures for new and pending applications and renewals of permits, licenses, clearances, certifications or authorizations.

The proposed law empowers the President to fix or shorten the periods for the processing and release of these documents.

The bill also grants the President the power to suspend or waive the requirements in securing such permits, licenses, clearances, certifications or authorizations.

In consultation with or upon the recommendation of the affected government agencies, HB 7884 may prescribe the permanent streamlining of regulatory processes and procedures, and the suspension or waiver of the requirements in securing the documents.

Other authors of the bill are Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (Tingog party-list), Weslie Gatchalian (Valenzuela City), Juan Miguel “Mikey” Macapagal Arroyo (Pampanga), Michael John R. Duavit (Rizal); Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga (Quezon), Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo (Camiguin), Sharon S. Garin (AAMBIS-OWA party-list); Jose “Bonito” C. Singson Jr. (Probinsyano Ako party-list), Doy C. Leachon (Oriental Mindoro), Michael “Mikee” L. Romero (1-PACMAN); Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr. (Negros Oriental), Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez (Negros Occidental), Munir M. Arbison (Sulu), Michael Edgar Y. Aglipay (DIWA party-list), Joseph Stephen “Caraps” S. Paduano (Abang Lingkod), and John Reynald M. Tiangco (Navotas).