APRIL 12, 2014

NR # 3434B

Solon proposes establishment of One-Stop-Shops for public service

Securing permits, licenses, certifications, documents and other similar instruments in all localities nationwide need not be a hassle anymore for people outside of the metropolitan cities. A lawmaker has filed a measure proposing the establishment of a nationwide OneStop-Shop system of public service for all national and local government agencies to effectively reach more people outside of metropolitan cities where most national government agencies hold office. Rep. Al Francis ichara !"nd #istrict, Albay$ said %ouse ill &'(& seeks to help in making all transactions move faster, more transparent and more efficient. )t is also consistent with the policy of the State to maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption. ichara said in this way, even people from the municipalities could secure the instruments they need without having to travel to the cities. *Standardi+ed re,uirements and step by step procedures both for local and national agencies under this set-up will minimi+e the waste of time and effort of people who travel far and wide only to be sent back for lack of needed re,uirements which often differ from place to place and province to province, depending on the assessment of local persons-incharge,- ichara said. ichara said by standardi+ation too, transparency will be greater and rooms for anomalies are reduced. .he /hairperson of the %ouse /ommittee on Foreign Affairs underscored that this set-up will generate more income for the local governments since the people will 0ust troop to their respective local municipal1city halls to transact business, generating more activities that will surely re,uire the establishment of allied services and businesses. ichara said under the proposal, all these shops are given a fi2ed period within which to release re,uested documents, with sanctions for failure of compliance. .he bill covers all local government units !345s$ and government agencies which issue documents, permits, licenses and certificates among others which can be used by the public as proof of the agency6s official authentication. 5nder the measure, One-Stop-Shops shall be established nationwide for all public needs in all local government units and national agencies including but not limited to

documents, permits, licenses, and certificates among others. 7very 345 and national agency is mandated to post, in at least '8 bulletin boards in their building as well as in their official website, all the documentation services that they provide for the public as well as the step-by-step procedure in accordance with law which created it. Also, each local government unit and government agency shall observe a uniform system of enumerating their services, as well as the steps to be followed in order to obtain them. .he bill re,uires all 345s and national agencies to update, revise and improve their respective processing systems, including websites in order to efficiently cater to the needs of the public faster and more efficiently, as well as to reduce under the table transaction. .hey shall process the same without delay and without demanding for re,uirements other than those situated in the law. .he 345s and national agencies concerned shall resolve all applications within the period set forth by their respective rules and regulations. 9o 345 or national agency shall impose a penalty if the delay is due to its own fault or to the fault of any other 345 or national agency. Officers and employees who violate this Act shall be penali+ed with (8 days suspension without pay to dismissal and perpetual dis,ualification from public service as provided for under Section '' of Republic Act :&;< or the *Anti-Red .ape Act.3ikewise, administrative liability shall be enforced according to /ivil Service law, rules and regulations. !(8$ lvc