Vision
PCCI is the voice of Philippine business recognized by government and international institutions. As a proactive catalyst of development, PCCI promotes and supports the drive for globally competitive Philippine enterprises in partnership with government, local chambers, and other business organizations.
Mission
The main responsibility of PCCI is to provide focused advocacy for business growth and sustainable development by providing business services for the advancement of grassroots entrepreneurship, chamber development, international trade relations, business innovation and excellence, and operating efficiency. These will be achieved through a professional organization working in close cooperation with various stakeholders in public and private sectors.
PCCI cites ARTA for effectively implementing EODB, anti-red tape initiatives
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) cited the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) as one of the most performing agencies of the Duterte administration for effectively implementing the Ease of Doing Business and anti-red tape initiatives.
Barely four years from its inception, the ARTA headed by Director General Jeremiah Belgica has so far delivered its mandate of bringing transparency and accountability to public office by cutting excessive bureaucratic processes and enhancing the local business environment.
George Barcelon, PCCI president, expressed optimism and hope that incoming president Ferdinand Marcos will sustain ARTA’s reform programs to ensure sustained business confidence and trust in government.
“The PCCI commends ARTA for having accomplished quite a number of milestones that really benefited the business community. We are happy that ARTA and PCCI have a strong partnership in implementing these policy reforms in government, Barcelon said, adding the importance of eradicating red-tape to gain the confidence of local and foreign investors.
Barcelon noted that PCCI has been involved in the National Effort for the Harmonization of Efficiency Measures of Interrelated Agencies (NEHEMIA) Program meant to address overregulation and promote interconnectivity among government agencies to eliminate redundant processes has yielded positive results.
Among ARTA’s notable accomplishments that greatly benefitted the business sector were in the areas of telecommunication and connectivity, food and pharmacology, logistics and housing, and construction, among others.
ARTA released three Joint Memorandum Circulars (JMCs) all aimed at expediting the building of telco towers that paved the way for the decrease of the number of needed permits from 13 to 8, documentary requirements from 86 to 15, and length of time for processing from 241 days to 16 days.
It also integrated the Food and Drug Administration’s electronic License to Operate and Center for Drug Regulation and Research into the Central Business Portal, reducing the steps needed from 28 to 9 steps, the number of documentary requirements needed from 41 to 12, and the length of time for processing from 63 to 21 days. Likewise, ARTA established the Green Lane for Licenses and Authorizations that enabled pharmaceutical companies to put up local manufacturing facilities within 10 months.
Another notable initiative of ARTA is the automation of processes and use of the Unified Rapid Pass (ULP) to reduce the steps required from 209 to 24 and the length of time for processing from 271 days to 35 days. Payment of fees for the accreditation or registration with different entities shall also be made under a single window or through a business one-stop shop.
Barcelon also shared that ARTA proactively acted on the concerns of our various stakeholders in the congestion at the Matnog Port in Sorsogon by considering the adoption of an online booking system to resolve the issue.
Furthermore, ARTA also addressed the concern by the agri-food stakeholders for overregulations by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) by immediately suspending the implementation of a memorandum circular. The PCCI further asked ARTA to look into, and possibly, assist BPI in streamlining its documentary requirements and processes, with the end goal of automating its service for business continuity and efficiency. --- Donna Brazas Angulo