GATCHALIAN TO ARTA: PURSUE DIGITALIZATION OF LGUS TO FIGHT RED TAPE, CORRUPTION

SENATOR Win Gatchalian urged the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to accelerate the digitalization of local government units, emphasizing that this is the only way to effectively combat corruption and improve ease of doing business in the country.

“Red tape is one of the factors that deters economic growth. We need to ensure that digitalization is felt on the ground, in every LGU,” Gatchalian said.

“Maganda nga ‘yung process natin sa national pero kung hindi naman digitalized ang local, sayang lang,” said Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, at a recent Senate hearing on ARTA’s proposed 2026 budget.

The Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS), a landmark law authored by Gatchalian, shows low adoption among LGUs, with ARTA noting that only 113 out of 1,634 cities and municipalities are fully compliant. EVOSS streamlines energy project permits by unifying all relevant agencies in one system.

“You need to craft a program that will completely digitalize the LGUs,” Gatchalian told ARTA Director General Secretary Ernesto Perez, adding that he is willing to push for additional budget necessary to fast-track digitalization of LGUs.