Mamasapano ARTA rated

Mayor Tahirodin Benzar Ampatuan

MANILA --- The municipal government of  Mamasapano gears for another inspiring year after it has received the most coveted “ARTAnized Award” during the recently concluded “ARTAnized: The ARTA Dekada Celebration” awarding ceremonies of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which highlighted the accomplishments in the 10-year implementation of the ARTA.

The ARTAnized awards recognize government offices which have best complied with the provisions of the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA), a law which aims to improve front-line services. 

The CSC has recognized Mamasapano in Maguindanao province with highest ratings in the ARTA Report Card Survey from 2010-2016 together with other local government units: City of Santiago, Tagum City, Compostela Valley, Borongan City, Arayat, Iriga City, Dolores, Talipao, Jolo in Sulu, Upi in Maguindanao, and Labo.

Among the major provisions of ARTA are the implementation of the No Noon Break Policy, Anti-Fixer campaign, conduct of the ARTA Report Card Survey, conferment of the Seal of Excellence Award, and posting of the Citizen’s Charter, a tool to help curb corruption as it informs citizens of the step-by-step process of front-line services, the time it entails to finish each step, and the required fees.

Mamasapano Mayor Tahirodin Benzar Ampatuan said the most coveted award is another breakthrough in their advocacy on good governance and in providing excellent public service to their constituents.

“We are simply blessed. Our efforts through the years have truly paid off. I dedicate this award not only to our municipal government and local officials, but also to our populace themselves who have been very supportive to our various programs and services,” Mayor Ampatuan said.

CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, in a message,  said: “It is overwhelming to see today a bright future for the Philippine public service, as we are now accompanied by a number of public service giants or those who have shown passion in complying with the Anti-Red Tape Act — the ARTAnized offices and agencies, that is how we call them.”

Further, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC), and Landbank of the Philippines (LBP)   were recognized as Frontline Service Champions for the agencies’ exceptional performance in complying with the ARTA provisions which enabled them to deliver excellent front-line service.

The GSIS, PHIC, and LBP were surveyed under the ARTA RCS for at least three years between 2010 and 2017 and garnered the highest agency rating among surveyed NGAs. These agencies also posted a 100 percent resolution rate in all concerns referred to them by the Contact Center ng Bayan from 2012 to 2016 and not lower than 85 percent resolution rate of CCB referrals in 2017.

These NGAs were also conferred the Seal of Excellence Award Hall of Famers for earning the most number of Seal of Excellence Awards from 2010- 2016. The PHIC received a total of 67 Seals of Excellence, the GSIS earned 53 Seals, and LBP with 24 Seals.

The Seal of Excellence is conferred on service offices that garner an excellent rating in the RCS through a “mystery client validation” and passed the second-phase validation.

Chairperson Bala also thanked front-line service officers and ARTA focal persons in each agency for their determination and commitment in upholding the ARTA.

“If it not were for your commitment, the ARTA would have just been a plain set of rules printed on papers, a false promise to the Filipinos. You did not let that happen; you proved that ARTA is a living document. Your deep resolve to deliver excellent public service made a big difference and will continue to make a difference in the years to come,” Chair Bala said.

Republic Act No. 9485 or ARTA was signed into law in June 2, 2007. The CSC promulgated the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Act through CSC Resolution No. 081471 on July 24, 2008. The IRR took effect on September 5, 2008.

To obtain feedback on how ARTA provisions are being followed and how agencies are performing, the CSC started the conduct of the ARTA Report Card Survey in 2010 with just 50 pilot service offices in 16 regions.

To date, a total of 5,904 service offices nation-wide have undergone the ARTA RCS. Of this number, 1,056 were rated excellent. This year, more than 500 service offices will undergo the ARTA’s RCS. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)