Memorandum of Agreement signed

 

 

28 gov’t agencies vow to end red tape By BERNIE CAHILES–MAGKILAT Top government officials representing 28 agencies yesterday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to provide a friendlier investments environment to induce more capital inflow through improved network and linkages among agencies as the government aims to raise the contribution of investments to gross domestic product from 15 percent to 25 percent. The signing was led by Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila, who is also chairman of the Board of Investments. "We have to reduce complications and shorten processing time because we are still behind among our neighbors in attracting investments and the World Bank itself said that investments should contribute 25 percent of the GDP from 15 percent," Favila said. Favila said the MoA aims to improve the delivery of services specifically to investors who are transacting their business with government. "By this agreement, we are making sure that government is clearing barriers in the economic growth of the country. Businessmen will find it easier to locate their operations in the country," Favila said. Under the agreement, the BoI will coordinate with the 27 other government agency signatories to the MoA to be known as the investment promotion units (IPUs) and other relevant organizations in tackling investment-related issues and concerns affecting foreign and local investors in the Philippines. BoI, as the government’s premier investment generating agency, will monitor/document investment-related issues and concerns referred to the IPU network to ensure prompt and accurate response. Clients will be updated on status of referrals made. The IPUs, on the other hand, are tasked to act on investment issues and concerns within seventy-two (72) hours. Under government rules, public officials and employees are to act on letters and requests not later than the fifteen 15) working days deadline prescribed under RA 6713 or the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees." These units are mandated to expedite the approval of permits, licenses and other documents which are needed by businessmen in putting up investment projects. IPUs will further streamline/simplify procedures and recommend modifications/amendments of existing legislation and procedures that may enhance the generation/inflow of investments from local or foreign investors. IPUs are to adopt and implement a coordination system to act upon the issues and concerns referred by the BoI One Stop Action Center. Among the concerned agencies, the Civil Service Commission is tasked to periodically assess the performance of IPUs and suggest/recommend possible developmental interventions to improve work efficiency. The Office of the Ombudsman will act on investment-related complaints involving violations of commitments by IPU Network member agencies. Partnering with CSC and the Office of the Ombudsman will make government agencies aware that they should be accountable in ensuring that businessmen are serviced well and that greater transparency should be observed, Favila said. "We are confident that the agreement will address the business sector’s clamor for improved and transparent transaction systems. In this manner we lure more capital in the country and create jobs and increase incomes for Filipinos," Favila said. The MoA is an endeavor of the Public-Sector Task Force on Philippine Competitiveness, now called the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) with Secretary Favila serving as chairman. To sustain the country’s economic growth, Favila said, it is imperative for the government and the business sector to improve its transactions and make it competitive with international standards. Comprising the IPUs are the following government agencies: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Department of Finance , Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, CSC, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Science and Technology, Bureau of Food and Drugs, Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation and Communications, Commission on Information and Communications Technology, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Manila International Airport Authority, National Commission on Indigenous People, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Office of the Ombudsman and Securities and Exchange Commission.(BCM)

 

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