Bohol survey 3 govt agencies “failed” in anti-red tape test

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – Three of five national government agencies based here earned failing grades in the recent report card survey (RCS) pursuant to Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) launched by the Civil Service Commission last year.

Results of the RCS were published on pages 26-27 of the national daily, Philippine Star, in its April 15, 2013 issue.

The three that got “failed” rating were: Bureau of Internal Revenue–District Office 84 and the Government Service Insurance System, both based in the city, and the Department of Health’s Don Emilio del Valle Hospital (DEVH) in Ubay town.

Those that earned “good” grades were the DOH’s managed Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) based here and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Tagbilaran City branch.

The RCS was based on the ARTA compliance (AC), which has “provisions on citizens charter, anti-fixing, ID/nameplates, hidden costs, public assistance and complaints desk and no noon break rule and complaints des and “no lunch break” rule,” CSC said. Other bases were on frontline service provider (FSP) and physical working condition (PWC).

The rating is scored on the following: 90-100, “excellent”; 80-89.99, “good”; 70-79.99, “acceptable”; and 69.99 and below, “failed.”

The BIR-DO 84 fell short of the AC, while the DEVH in Ubay did not pass the AC, the FSP and PWC-level 1, and GSIS-Tagbilaran failed in AC and FSP-level 1.

“Prompt, courteous and efficient public service delivery; simplified procedures that reduce red tape and expedite transactions; and transparency in public transactions,” were among the targets of the CSC for government agencies to deliver effective and efficient public service in accordance with ARTA.

The CSC conducted the survey of some 599 government instrumentalities, including government owned and controlled corporations and local government units in Bohol from January to December 2012. “All offices and agencies providing frontline services shall be subjected to a RCS to be initiated by the CSC pursuant to ARTA.

Under the law, every agency of office concerned is mandated to set up Citizens Charter, containing information on how to avail of a particular service, time it would take to conclude the process, fees to be paid, documents to be presented by clients and procedure for filing complaints. It should be posted at the main entrance of office or at most conspicuous places, CSC pointed out.  (FREEMAN)