The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) yesterday reminded government agencies which are yet to submit their revised Citizen’s Charter to ARTA to comply on or before July 25.
The Citizen’s Charter provision of R.A. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act mandates all government agencies in the executive branch, which include national government agencies, local government units, government -owned and – controlled corporations, and other government instrumentalities, to craft a Citizen’s Charter.
These covered government agencies are urged to refer to ARTA Memorandum Circular 2019- 02, which includes a Citizen’s Charter template and details the prescribed manner of writing it.
The law requires government agencies to have their Citizen’s Charter in both information billboard (e.g. tarpaulins, kiosks, TV postings), and handbook form. The handbook must be made available at the transaction windows/counters of each frontline office and shall be uploaded at the official website of the agency. Further, it shall serve as ARTA’s reference for violations in case of acomplaint it may receive against a government agency.
Officials of agencies who will fail to submit their charters may face administrative sanctions, said Jeremiah Belgica, ARTA director-general.
The Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 11032 required government agencies to submit their Citizen’s Charter to ARTA, including only their external services on or before December 6 last year. For the July 25 deadline, ARTA expects all covered agencies to submit their revised Citizen’s Charter for both their external and internal services, including the new processes implemented and all other revisions on existing services that are being adopted in the ‘new normal’.
“It is not enough that they submit on time; they should submit a rationalized one which reflects an easier process. One key thing that they should bear in mind is that they should only ask for requirements that are really necessary and has clear legal basis,” Belgica said.
ARTA has since assured that government agencies are informed with the guidelines to effectively comply with the Citizen’s Charter provision of the law through releasing memorandum circulars, and the conduct of webinars and nationwide capacity-building activities which date back prior to the implementation of community quarantines.
