LGU-Koronadal vows adherence to Anti-Red Tape Authority Compliances
The City Government of Koronadal assured to adhere to the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) compliance monitoring and inspection evaluation team after its recent conduct of the on-site monitoring inspection in the City Government of Koronadal.
Led by ARTA Eastern Mindanao Regional Chief Engr. Rhuelo D. Aradanas, the team visited LGU-Koronadal as part of its efforts to continuously monitor the compliance of various local government units with the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Law.
During the exit conference, the team presented their findings and recommendations, particularly on compliance with the ARTA’s operations template under Republic Act 11032, known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Services Delivery Act of 2018. Among these recommendations were focused more on the updating of the citizen’s charter billboard and the citizen’s charter handbook, the full automation of the system of the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) and the installation of the ARTA corner using digital technologies like kiosks and tv monitors in the city hall lobby.
Meanwhile, City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena and Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CART) Chairperson and CHRM Officer Hazel Lebanan assured the team that the LGU is willing to comply with all the requirements that will help improve and fast-track the delivery of services to the people.
In his brief message, the chief executive said the city government is open to address the concerns in order to provide smooth and hassle-free services for the people.
“I am willing to listen to what you have observed and probably make some corrective measures in matters that need to be corrected”, Mayor Ogena said.
Meanwhile, Lebanan believes that undergoing such monitoring and evaluation would further improve the city’s ARTA compliance.
“We are so happy and glad that you gave us a visit and come up with a monitoring scheme and receiving the different recommendations of our evaluation that we need to accomplish will definitely improve our existing ARTA compliances”, Lebanan stated.
However, Lebanan admitted that there are things that need to be complied with the ARTA.
“We are a work in progress where we are to comply with the different requirements that were sent to us”, the CHRMO head said.
In reply, RD Aradanas said that part of their mandate is to help and assist local government units.
“Nandito kami hindi upang humanap ng mali ng city kundi tulungan po kayo. Yan ang isang mandato ng arta, i-empower ang mga local government units, to streamline the processes of offices natin”, the ARTA Chief said.
(We are not here to find faults, but to help you. That is the mandate of ARTA, to empower the local government units and streamline the processes of our offices.)
Despite their findings and recommendations, Aradanas commended the city’s best practices, particularly the all-year-round BOSS and the co-location of offices in one area.
“Ito lang yata yong siyudad o lgu na naka co-locate yong mga offices, nandoon lahat. Not only the local offices, meron din pala kayong national offices sa taas na naka co-locate yan ang isa na tinitingnan ng ARTA at pino-promote na hindi nagagawa ng ibang lgu’s kundi dito lamang”, the ARTA head stressed.
(I think this is the only city or LGU where the offices are co-located. You will find everything in one place. Not only the local offices, but you also have those national offices upstairs that are co-located. That’s one thing that ARTA is trying to promote. No other LGUs have done that except you.)
In conclusion, RD Aradanas has this to say, “Nakikita ko kasi magiging awardee itong City of Koronadal, konti na lang, and nakikita naman namin ang mga department heads na eager na ma-comply lalo na ang BPLO. Ang problema ng iba is the integration of the system of the BFP, dito nagagawa niyo na, hindi lang yon, naka-co-locate pa, nandiyan na magkatabi hindi na kailangan pumunta ng tax payers na pumunta sa opisina ng BFP para magbayad, nandiyan na sa tabi pa mismo. Yan po ang sinusulong natin, the ease of doing business.”.
(I can see that the City of Koronadal will eventually become an awardee. The department heads are eager to comply, especially the BPLO. The problem of other LGUs is the integration of the system of the BFP but here you have already done it and what’s best is all offices are co-located in one area. It’s convenient for the taxpayers for they don’t need to go that far because it’s just right there. That is what we are promoting, the ease of doing business.)