CHED, DBP asked to improve measures vs anti-red tape

CEBU, Philippines - The Anti-Red Tape Act Watch (ARTA Watch) of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) recommends some improvements that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) can undertake.

The ARTA Watch is a mechanism to spot the compliance of agencies with the provisions of the Anti-red Tape Act of 2007, especially on the “No Noon Break Policy” and the “Anti-fixer Campaign”.

A report prepared by Lorda Villaflor, ARTA personnel specialist, stated they found out that frontline service providers wore identification cards but the names cannot be seen from afar.

Villaflor added that the DBP has no feedback and redress mechanism as they only have a suggestion box located in front of the counter, beside the Anti-Fixer Campaign Material.

The ARTA Watch team also recommended the revision of DBP’s posted Citizen’s Charter and follow the format based on RA 9485.

CHED, meanwhile, is asked to set up a lane for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), elderly and pregnant Women, or to put a signage that they are giving priority for these people.  A “No Noon Break” signage must also be posted in a conspicuous place.

Both agencies were advised to provide bigger IDs so the names can be read even from afar and to maintain their compliance as regards the observance of “No Noon Break Policy”, posting of the Anti-fixer Campaign materials and compliance of the Citizen’s Charter, as well as feedback and redress mechanism.

Based on the observations, the DBP and CHED need to properly label their public assistance or complaint desk that should be manned all the time by knowledgeable personnel. —/JPM (FREEMAN)