The Anti Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is being groomed to become a full department to give it more enforcement powers against red tape or corruption in government bureaucracy.
Secretary Ernesto V. Perez, ARTA director general, told reporters at the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the British Embassy in Manila on enhancing regulatory quality and streamlining processes on Tuesday, they submitted a proposal this week to the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council to elevate ARTA into a department level.
“Hopefully, this can be considered a priority bill,” said Perez, noting their proposal also gained support from Congress and the Senate.
Under the current law, ARTA is an attached agency of the Office of the President. ARTA also works closely with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to reduce red tape and improve the business environment, with the DTI Secretary also serving as the chairman of the ARTA Advisory Council.
Perez explained that while ARTA is headed at a secretary level, the agency is an authority level and is not strictly a member of the Cabinet. To elevate it to a department level will give ARTA more enforcement powers.
Perez said it is time also to review the five-year old Republic Act No. 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, which was passed in 2018.
At the House of Representatives, Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Representative Roberto Nazal is championing the amendment of the law. Perez also expressed appreciation to Senators Win Gatchalian, Ping Lacson and Raffy Tulfo for support to its proposal.
During the Plenary Deliberation on ARTA’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget held at the House of Representatives on September 25, Perez said that Rep. Nazal raised critical questions regarding the institutional challenges and operational constraints that hinder ARTA’s full implementation of the law.
Nazal underscored the urgent need to revisit and strengthen ARTA’s charter to ensure that the agency is equipped with the necessary powers and tools to fulfill its mission.
Rep. Nazal proposed that ARTA be granted expanded authority similar to the United States’ Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which includes access to essential government records and information. He further recommended that ARTA be empowered to issue binding opinions to government agencies, standardize processes across departments, and serve as an oversight body for procurement and bidding activities related to efficiency reforms.
Among his key proposals were the creation of mandatory performance dashboards and public disclosures, the imposition of administrative penalties for non-compliance with prescribed timelines and procedures, and the granting of investigative powers with safeguards for due process. He also called for ARTA to be authorized to conduct audits, issue subpoenas, and suspend or blacklist agencies that consistently fail to meet efficiency standards.
This is not the first time Rep. Nazal has demonstrated his commitment to institutional reform and good governance. Earlier this year, he filed the “Gobyernong Walang Padrino” bill, which seeks to dismantle patronage politics in government and promote merit-based appointments, transparent promotions, and equitable distribution of benefits.
ARTA shares Rep. Nazal’s vision of a government that is responsive, accountable, and citizen-centered. The Authority remains committed to advancing reforms that will ensure public services are delivered efficiently and effectively to every Filipino, in line with the aspirations of a Bagong Pilipinas.
During the budget hearing, congressmen also favored for higher budget for the agency as it plans to open field offices in 18 regions.
ARTA also extends its gratitude to Dumaguete 2nd District Representative and Vice Chairperson of House Committee on Appropriations, Cong. Ma. Isabel Sagarbarria, for defending ARTA’s budget proposal, stating that the Authority stands ready to answer the call for public demands for honest governance.
“Every peso entrusted to ARTA will be spent with integrity, transparency, and accountability,” she added.
