Duterte’s anti-red tape adviser welcomed

THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) on Wednesday welcomed the signing of the executive order creating the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes (OPASGP).

“We thank the President for his steadfast support and commitment to end red tape and inefficiencies in the government,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The creation of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes (OPASGP) bodes well for the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) specially that it will be led by no less than former Cabinet secretary Leoncio “Jun” Evasco, Jr.,” ARTA said.

It said it has been part of the drafting of the order that established OPASGP.

For three years, ARTA has been at the forefront in the battle against red tape. However, it can only do so much with its gargantuan task.

“Among the many programs and projects that we have been working on include the monitoring of processes related to the government’s Covid-19 response, as well as the automation and streamlining of over a thousand local governments in the country,” said ARTA.

“With Secretary Evasco now on board our reform train against red tape, we are confident that all our efforts will not go to waste as he will surely facilitate in shepherding and coordinating them straight to the President being a longtime confidant of the Chief Executive,” it added.