City sustains Anti Red Tape Act implementation

(July 13, 2012) Tacurong City government offices were inspected on July 11-12, 2012 in accordance to the LGU’s continuous and strict implementation of the Anti Red Tape Act (ARTA).  

Anti Red Tape Act or An Act to Improve Efficiency in the Delivery of Government Service to the Public by Reducing Bureaucratic Red Tape Preventing Graft and Corruption, and Providing Penalty Thereof, was promulgated by RA 9845.

            Each city unit was evaluated based on the availability of office information such as organizational and functional charts, service standards, relevant signages, etc. Office ergonomics and availability of necessary equipment were also evaluated. Actual clients were also interviewed to assess each office’s human relations and customer service.

According to Mr. Tomas R. Robles, Head of the city’s Citizen Charter Team, the ARTA evaluation will be conducted quarterly. In May 2012, Mayor Lina O. Montilla signed the Administrative Order 01-2012 directing the team to monitor the implementation and sustainability of Tacurong’s Citizen Charter. “Our compliance with ARTA must always be ensured. So far, offices are well-manned and customers’ feedbacks are good. Of course, there are still rooms for improvement but I believe we are on the right track,” said Mr. Robles.

Tacurong Citizens’ Charter and the Citizens’ Charter Team were created in 2009 to establish effective practices to achieve transparency in the city’s operations and services. 

In 2010, the CSC awarded Tacurong with a Seal of Excellence for being one of the six performing local government units in the Philippines. CSC commended Tacurong for its compliance with ARTA requirements. (Jezereel Louise C. Billano)