The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) reaffirmed its strategic commitment to future-proofing Philippine governance by co-hosting a high-level, two-day leadership workshop focused on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and strategic foresight to strengthen national policy innovation.
The event, titled “Strategic Foresight and AI Nexus for Advancing Anticipatory Governance and Policy Innovation,” was held on November 19-20, 2025, at the Makati Diamond Residences, Makati City. It convened national and local leaders to collectively explore how responsible AI utilization and foresight methodologies can decisively strengthen anticipatory governance and foster the development of future-ready institutions.
In her opening remarks, ARTA Undersecretary for Operations, Dr. Lea Grace B. Salcedo, underscored the agency’s commitment to applied innovation, highlighting initiatives that utilize advanced tools like AI to make essential government services simpler, faster, and more accountable.
“Our goal is not just to eliminate red tape, but to fundamentally redesign our processes to be responsive to the next decade’s challenges,” Dr. Salcedo stated. “The insights shared during this workshop, particularly concerning the ethical and strategic application of AI, will directly shape policies that address emerging realities and long-term national priorities, ultimately improving the ease of doing business in the Philippines.”
The workshop showcased the power of inter-agency collaboration, bringing together key governmental and international partners. Delivering opening remarks alongside Dr. Salcedo were:
- Changseob Han, Head, United Nations Project Office on Governance (UNPOG)
- Matija Kovac, Head, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Office
- Alex Brillantes, Secretary-General, Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA)
- Rosemarie G. Edillon, Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Group, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev)
- Mario Iringan, Undersecretary, Local Government Academy (LGA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- Esmeralda Daphe N. Purnell, Assistant Director, DILG LGA
To ensure the direct and immediate application of learnings, ARTA proactively deployed key staff from its operations group to attend the intensive workshop. This direct engagement further strengthens the agency’s ongoing efforts to integrate innovative approaches that will drive regulatory reform, simplify citizen transactions, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the Philippines.
