Ilocos, Cagayan, CAR folks urged: Help fight corruption

By Hilda Austria

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) urged residents of Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to help fight bureaucratic corruption by becoming a volunteer or a champion.
    In a press conference on Tuesday, ARTA director general Jeremiah Belgica said the agency cannot totally eradicate red tape in the government without the help of different sectors of society.
    “If you are suffering, or you know somebody suffering because of corruption, volunteer and become the eyes and ears of ARTA,” he said during the assembly of the ARTA champions and volunteers from the three regions as part of the regional anti-red tape caravan or cARTAravan held here.
    Belgica said the agency provides training on the appropriate laws and access to ARTA to the champions and volunteers.
    “We train them so we are confident that they fully understand our mandate and what they report to us is related to our mandate,” he added.
    Undersecretary Carlos Quita, ARTA deputy director general for administration, finance and special programs, said citizens could be ARTA champions if they belong to an organized sector of society like the media, business sector, religious and civic groups, among others.
    Quita said volunteers are individuals from the grassroots or ordinary citizens who were victims of corruption.
    “We thought of this alliance or movement so we could help one another. We have a lot of problems, it could be resolved only if we help one another,” he added.
    ARTA champions and volunteers are tasked to report not only complaints or irregularities in the government agencies but also the best practices.
    “They serve as the pressure group monitoring the performance of government agencies and local government units through the report card system in collaboration with other agencies and the people. They also report and recommend, among other things they do,” Quita said.
    At present, he added there are 12 ARTA champions in the country from the business sector such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as the media and religious sectors. -- PNA