Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Office of the Ombudsman to intensify their crackdown on bureaucratic red tape, particularly in local government units where delays often begin.

“Ang negosyo ay nag-uumpisa sa local government business permit, fire permit. Pero ang nagiging problema ngayon are the LGUs, bumaba na sa LGUs ang red tape. That is why ARTA and the Ombudsman should look at the processes at the local level,” Gatchalian said during the plenary deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of ARTA.

“Red tape is the issue that is discouraging investors from coming into the country, and it’s killing our existing industries and businesses. Alam naman natin na ang red tape at corruption, magkapatid ‘yan,” he added.

The Ombudsman and ARTA recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen their partnership in combating red tape and filing related cases. “We expect that they give more focus not just to corruption but also to red tape because red tape is a source of corruption. Kapag nadedelay ang mga papeles o dokumento, wala nang choice minsan ang mga negosyante kundi sumunod sa mga corrupt officials,” Gatchalian said. 

Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS WIN GATCHALIAN