Mindanaotoday.com | 568 public workers face ‘red tape’ raps
By: Uriel Quilinguing
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – For alleged violations of law that seeks to simplify government transactions and efficiency in service delivery, 568 government officials and employees have been charged before the Office of the Ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission.
Lawyer Jeremiah Belgica, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) director-general, disclosed the latest count of criminal and administrative cases they have filed, in a forum Friday, May 27, with journalists in Cagayan de Oro who were observing the 40th Press Freedom Week declaration in the city.
Belgica said 20 other former public office workers have already been either suspended for six months, terminated from the service or are still behind bars for violating Republic Act 11032, the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
Among those convicted include a license-releasing officer of the Land Transportation Office, an internal revenue employee who transacted business outside the office, and an office head who stopped official transactions earlier than 5:00 p.m.
The ARTA chief, whose agency is attached to the Office of the President, said among the basis for the filing of complaints is the non-adherence to the Citizen’s Charter of government agency, including local governments.
He cautioned newly-elected local officials against ignoring the Citizen’s Charter – crafted by previous administration – which guides the general public in transacting business.
Documentary requirements, step-by-step processing and offices involved, duration of transaction to be completed, and standard fees are included in the Citizen’s Charter.
Under R.A 11032, there should only be a maximum of three signatories prior to the issuance of permits, clearances, and certifications.
Belgica said the Citizen’s Charter should not be amended often, unless necessary, but the changes which the new local chief executive wishes to introduce must be deliberated by the legislative body and offices involved.
He also emphasized that the coronavirus pandemic should not be used as an alibi for delays in the transactions from 2020 to the present, considering that much of these can already be done online, including those on work-from-home scheme – a boost to the ARTA’s zero-contact policy.
The ARTA head hinted they are investigating delays in the distribution of food-packs, donations and even cash-assistance involving national agencies and local governments.
Earlier, lawyer Lord Anthony Pusod of ARTA-11 who was tasked to present the salient provisions of R.A. 11032 said agencies under the executive branch of government have already adopted the 3-7-20 durations (days) for completed transactions.
Pusod said the 3-7-20 refers to number of days allowed for simple, complex, and highly technical transactions which may be extended, if documents and actions sought for cannot be completed within the period originally set.
However, he advised the agency concerned to inform in writing the requesting person prior the original deadline, that the extension must not exceed the prescribed original duration, indicate the reason for the delay, and set the date for the final issuance of requested document.
Requesting person must be informed, in written notice, of the disapproval of his application.
Other violations of R.A. 11032 include refusal to accept applications or request with complete requirements, imposition of additional requirements and fees not indicated in the Citizen’s Charter, and refusal to issue official receipt for payments made.
Also deemed violations are failure to render government services within the prescribed processing time, failure to attend to applicants prior to the end of working hours and during lunch break and fixing and/or in collusion with fixers.
Pusod said the government’s executive department has adopted a two-strike policy for violators of R.A. 11032 – a six-month suspension for first offenders, except for fixing which would result to outright termination while second-time offenders would be dismissed from the service.
Convictions based on the person’s criminal and civil liabilities may result to one to six years of imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P2 million, aside from perpetual disqualification from public office and forfeiture of retirement benefits.