The National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), in partnership with the NDCP Alumni Association Inc (NDCPAAI), conducted a webinar on “Anti-Red Tape in a COVID-19 Environment” on 28 July 2020, Tuesday, via Microsoft Teams. The webinar featured Atty Jeremiah B Belgica, REB, EnP, Director-General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).

In his remarks, BGen Archimedes H Viaje AFP (Ret), PhD, MNSA, CESE emphasized the importance of adopting innovative measures to ensure swift and continuous delivery of services amid the pandemic.

NDCPAAI President BGen Benjamin I Espiritu AFP (Res), PhD, MNSA underscored the necessity of balancing the inter-related dimensions of transparency and efficiency.

In his presentation, Atty Belgica discussed ARTA’s pre-pandemic efforts, its initiatives during the quarantine period, and its goals for the delivery of government services in the “new normal”. He stated that ARTA initiatives in the “new normal” include using electronic submissions and approvals of reports and supporting documents, reducing requirements which will be subject to completion when conditions normalize, and encouraging government agencies to use the online payment scheme.

Atty Belgica echoed President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s remarks in his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) saying that the country is closer to eliminating over regulation in government service. He noted that the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act has been gaining momentum.

 Atty Belgica further stated that the end goal for the streamlining of services is the shift to E-Governance. He encouraged the NDCP alumni to support in strengthening cybersecurity, one of the major areas in the delivery of government services.

 ARTA is the government agency mandated to administer and implement the Anti-Read Tape Act. It is tasked to monitor and ensure compliance with the national policy on anti-red tape and ease of doing business in the country.

Capt Aldrin C Cuna PN (Res), MNSA, served as the webinar moderator.

The 50 participants who actively joined the discussion is composed of NDCP officials and faculty members, NDCP alumni, and members of the Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) program Regular Class 55.