The Provincial Government of Bataan and the Anti-Red Tape Authority formalized a partnership on 27 February aimed at improving public service delivery and streamlining government transactions in the province.

Governor Joet Garcia and ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez signed a Memorandum of Agreement at The Bunker in Balanga City establishing an ARTA Satellite Office inside the 1Bataan One-Stop Service Center for OFWs (1BOSSCO).

The satellite office will operate within the provincial government’s central hub for frontline services, strengthening efforts to make transactions faster and more efficient for residents and overseas Filipino workers.

Garcia said he is optimistic that the 1BOSSCO will serve as a model Business One-Stop Shop for other provinces, aligning with the government’s thrust to make public transactions simple, quick and reliable.

Following the signing, a Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting was held where Perez outlined ARTA’s key initiatives and urged local government representatives and agencies in Bataan to actively participate in reform programs.

The ARTA and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Bataan Chapter also signed a Memorandum of Understanding recognizing PCCI-Bataan as an ARTA Champion, signaling private sector support for ease-of-doing-business reforms.

ARTA, an agency under the Office of the President, is mandated to implement Republic Act No. 11032, or the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.” Its mission is to streamline government processes, eliminate red tape and enhance the country’s economic competitiveness.