ANTI-RED TAPE CARAVAN. Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) officials headed by Secretary Jeremiah Belgica (4th from right) lead the launch of the Anti-Red Tape Caravan or the cARTAravan in San Fernando City, La Union on Monday (Nov. 29, 2021). Local government officials and employees also swore an oath and signed a manifesto of support for the ease of doing business and delivery of efficient government service. (Photo by Hilda Austria) SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union - The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has launched its nationwide campaign here to empower the local government units (LGUs) in implementing its ease of doing business and anti-red tape initiatives. In a press conference on regional anti-red tape caravan or cARTAravan late Monday, ARTA Director-General, Secretary Jeremiah Belgica, said the caravan focuses on discussions with the LGUs on how they could better improve online streamlining services, as well as assistance and activities that can make the agency more accessible to the regions. "We also want to raise and boost awareness of public and private sectors with the RA 11032 law, together with the LGU officials, and implement the law up to the grassroots level," he said. Republic Act (RA) 11032 is the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. Belgica said they are conducting inspections in the different LGUs in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera regions to fight red tape. "It was started with the inspection in the region to check (the) Citizen's charter, business one-stop shops, ARTA committees, and public assistance desk(s)," he said. ARTA officials will meet on Tuesday with different private and business sectors and other stakeholders. "We are going to listen to what other forms of red tape they are experiencing that they want to be addressed and we will take action immediately against these red-tape acts," he added. Belgica said ARTA would also localize the ease-of-doing-business survey to recognize LGUs who are doing their mandate and also remind or warn those who are slacking. Meanwhile, LGU officials and employees in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera regions who are part of the ARTA committee in their respective localities swore an oath and signed a manifesto of support to promote the ease of doing business and efficient delivery of government service, establish effective practices aimed at the efficient turnaround of services, and prevent corruption, among others. "This will remain to be just a paper without the LGU, grassroots, and private sectors pushing for the change in the mindset and paradigm. Things will not change," he told the attendees at the launch. Belgica said they would be given training on the regulatory impact assessment to capacitate reform champions in the agencies as they will serve as the first responders to red tape complaints. He also reminded the public to push for reforms in the fight against red tape. Belgica encouraged the victims of red tape or bureaucratic corruption to file complaints through ARTA's social media or email address or the local ARTA committee in their area. La Union Governor Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III expressed support for the cARTAravan. "Reiterating the law and streamlining government services is timely (and) relevant," he said. (PNA) }