THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is planning to sign a partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to digitize government transactions.
In a statement, the government’s bureaucracy regulator said it is due to sign a memorandum of agreement with the DICT in the first week of September. This agreement aims to formalize the coordination of the two agencies in improving government transactions through greater use of technology.
“This initiative will be carried out by both agencies in an effort to accelerate efficiency in the government through automation by making the most of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT),” it said.
ARTA Director General Jeremiah B. Belgica said automating government services will reduce operational costs and aid in eliminating corruption by “(minimizing) interaction between applicants and government employees and officials.”
Digital transformation is also a key step in improving the speed of public services en route to an eventual shift to paperless transactions, ARTA said.
“ARTA is calling for all government agencies’ proactive participation and support in this initiative. For starters, the heads of government offices and agencies are advised to reach out to DICT for assistance in their automation efforts,” it said.
The DICT is forming a “Chief Information Officer Corps” with ARTA, which will lead digital transformation efforts in government agencies that will tap the service.
“…ARTA intends to be the window to the future of government, ultimately paving the way to a digital Philippines… We implore all government agencies to take the huge step in adopting modern technology with us,” it said. — Denise A. Valdez
