THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has asked the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to automate its processes to help bring down the cost of produce and contain inflation.
ARTA Director-General Jeremiah B. Belgica said the BAI, which regulates livestock and related industries like animal feed, needs to bring online its document submission, payment, and releasing procedures, with permits made printable at home.
“Ang konsepto kasi natin dapat, ‘yung papel ang umiikot, hindi ‘yung tao at aksyunan agad ang mga pending applications, (The concept that needs to be adopted is that the documents should make the rounds, not people. The BAI should act on pending applications immediately),” he said in a statement Tuesday.
If online processes are not yet up to date, he said that the agency should send permits to applicants via courier to reduce on-site visits.
Mr. Belgica added that streamlined and automated processes will reduce the prices of meat and animal feed, thereby helping contain food prices and reducing the threat of another inflation crisis.
“Pag mahirap ang proseso, nadadagdagan ‘yung gastos mo sa permit… so tataas ang presyo. Pag streamlined, mabilis. Makakapagnegosyo agad ang tao, ang presyo din of course maaapektuhan. Makakatulong sa pagbaba ng presyo (If the process is difficult, applicants spend more for the permit. A streamlined process gets applicants through faster. They can go about their business right away and prices will fall).”
The Ease of Doing Business law requires government agencies to meet three types of deadlines: Three working days for simple transactions, seven working days for complex transactions, and 20 working days for highly technical applications.
ARTA asked the BAI to submit a list of completed and fully paid applications that are still pending at the agency.
A price ceiling was placed on pork earlier this month after the African Swine Fever outbreak increased the cost of raising hogs while drastically reducing supply in Luzon. — Jenina P. Ibañez
