Palace to Zubiri: Give Ease of Doing Business Law a chance

“We appreciate the suggestion, but let’s give the law a chance,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing. (File Photo: By Avito C. Dalan/Wikimedia commons, Public Domain)

MANILA — Malacañang on Thursday appealed to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri to give the Ease of Doing Business Law a chance, following the lawmaker’s call to appoint an Anti-Red Tape Authority czar to assure that there are fewer delays in business transactions.

“We appreciate the suggestion, but let’s give the law a chance,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

Roque pointed out that since it is a newly-signed law, he will remind all heads of offices under the Executive Branch to strictly comply with it.

He noted that there are penal provisions in case public officers do not comply with the Ease of Doing Business Law.

Earlier, Zubiri, sponsor and author of the law, said four months since the law was passed, he was discontented as the speed of transactions in government offices barely changed.

He said he has received reports from small entrepreneurs, the most recent one coming from farmers, saying there are still delays in the issuance of permits for them to engage in business.

Last May, President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 which amends the RA 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

Government agencies are required to process simple transactions within three days, complete transactions in seven days, and highly-technical transactions in 20 days under the new law.

It also limits to a maximum of three the number signatories for applications for licenses, clearances, permits, certifications and authorizations.