THE Philippines is aiming to belong to the top 20 percent of 50 countries being evaluated by the World Bank’s Business-Ready Report which measures how well the regulatory framework and public services support businesses and how efficiently they work together in a country, according to the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).
“Well, we should always aim for the top, hindi lang dapat tayo [we should not be just in the] top 40 [percent]. It should be top 20 percent,” ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez told reporters on the sidelines of the 2024 Ease of Doing Business Convention on Monday in Parañaque City.
This is possible, he added, if all the programs and initiatives being done under the directive of the President, if all those initiatives to govern for success and services, “will be streamlined and digitalized under a one-stop shop.”
Perez added: “So 2026, that’s our aim. We’re pretty confident, because all of those reforms, initiatives are already laid down. They only need to be fully implemented with the support of the private sector and all agencies involved.”
In a memorandum by the Office of the President on October 4, 2024, ARTA was designated as the “government focal point” for the World Bank Group’s Business Ready Report.
“Pursuant to the ARTA’s mandates under Republic Act No. 11032 or the ‘Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018,’ please be informed that the President has approved the designation of ARTA as the Government Focal Point for the World Bank Group’s Business Ready Report, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations,” the memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated October 4, 2024 noted.
The World Bank’s B-READY Report is backed by three pillars: Regulatory Framework, Public Services and Operational Efficiency.
The Philippines ranks 16th in the Regulatory Framework; 24th in Public Services and 36th in Operational Efficiency.
For her part, Marbida Marbida, the Director for Better Regulations Office of ARTA, presented ARTA’s “B-READY Roadmap” or the efforts of the government to improve its ranking.
“To improve our country’s ranking, our initial focus will be on operational efficiency. To address our lower rating in this area, with particular emphasis on improving business entry processes,” Marbida said.
“Streamlining these processes is essential to making it easier for new businesses to get started,” she added.
In the area of Public service enhancement, she said the government will “continue refining key aspects like business entry, business location and insolvency procedures.”
While the country performed well in the regulatory framework pillar, the ARTA official said there is still room for improvement, especially in strengthening market competition and refining taxation frameworks.
“As we work across these three pillars, we will prioritize process streamlining as a foundation for broader digital transformation efforts,” said Marbida.
This includes expanding online platforms to make public services more accessible and efficient for businesses.
