The Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act was enacted to cut red tape, curb corruption, and make government transactions faster and more predictable, amending and strengthening the earlier Anti-Red Tape Act. Its core mechanisms are worth knowing for anyone dealing with a government office. First, prescribed processing times: all government offices must act on applications or requests within fixed maximum periods from the receipt of a complete application, generally three (3) working days for simple transactions, seven (7) working days for complex transactions, and twenty (20) working days for highly technical applications, extendible once for a limited period in the cases the law allows. Second, the Citizen's Charter: every agency must publish an updated Citizen's Charter, a document detailing the services offered, the step-by-step procedure, the officer responsible, the fees, and the maximum processing time, posted where the public can see it. Third, the zero-contact policy: except during the actual submission of applications and evaluation, no government officer shall have contact with any applicant, reducing opportunities for fixing and bribery. Fourth, and most striking, the automatic approval or automatic extension rule: if a government office fails to approve or disapprove an application within the prescribed processing time, the application is deemed approved, provided all required documents were submitted and the fees paid; the applicant may then secure the corresponding certification. Fifth, the single or unified business application form for business registration, and a one-stop-shop approach in local government units. Violations carry administrative and criminal liability for erring officials, including fines and imprisonment for repeated offenses, and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) implements the law and receives complaints. So the law fixes maximum processing times, requires a published Citizen's Charter and a zero-contact policy, and provides that an agency's failure to act within the period results in the automatic approval of the application.
Cutting Red Tape
The Ease of Doing Business Act makes government transactions faster and more predictable, strengthening the earlier Anti-Red Tape Act.
Fixed Processing Times
- 3 working days — simple transactions;
- 7 working days — complex transactions; and
- 20 working days — highly technical applications (extendible once, in allowed cases).
Charter, Zero Contact, and Automatic Approval
Agencies must publish a Citizen's Charter (services, steps, responsible officer, fees, timelines) and observe a zero-contact policy. Most importantly, failure to act within the period = the application is DEEMED APPROVED (if documents were complete and fees paid), and the applicant may get the certification.
Enforcement
Violations carry administrative and criminal liability for erring officials, and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) implements the law and receives complaints.
Practical Takeaways
- Agencies must act in 3/7/20 working days by transaction type;
- Inaction = automatic approval if your submission was complete;
- Complain to ARTA; the Citizen's Charter tells you the timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast must a government office act on my application? Generally within three working days for simple transactions, seven working days for complex transactions, and twenty working days for highly technical applications, counted from receipt of a complete application.
What happens if the agency does not act in time? Under the automatic approval rule, if the office fails to approve or disapprove within the prescribed processing time, the application is deemed approved, provided all required documents were submitted and the fees paid.
What is the Citizen's Charter? A document every agency must publish detailing the services offered, the step-by-step procedure, the officer responsible, the fees, and the maximum processing time, posted where the public can see it.
Where do I complain about red tape? To the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), which implements the law and receives complaints. Violations carry administrative and criminal liability for erring officials.
This commentary is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a licensed attorney.
If you have questions about your rights or options under Philippine law, our firm is available to assist. You may reach us via Viber or WhatsApp, call us at 0995 433 5550, or send an email to vivasnobles@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.