The government is moving to facilitate ease of doing business in its housing projects in efforts to ensure affordable but decent living conditions for all.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has partnered with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to craft its Citizen’s Charter to detail key services for all stakeholders.
Formed in February 2019, the two-year-old DHSUD is just starting to create a well-organized and comprehensive presentation of key processes and services, as well as the timeliness and requirements for those who need housing services.
DHSUD and ARTA are now creating a 181-page draft of its Citizen Charter to facilitate ease of doing business in its public offerings.
“To further promote transparency in governance, it is very important for government agencies and officials to become more open and to ensure that information is readily available for the public,” Housing chief Eduardo Del Rosario said.
ARTA is mandated to assist government agencies in conforming to the provisions of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.
A Citizen’s Charter is an essential tool for the public not only to gauge the performance of civil servants, but also to increase public participation in safeguarding transparency and accountability toward good governance.
Government offices are required by the ARTA to display their Citizen’s Charter so that their clients could check if they are receiving their needed services in accordance with the standards of public service.
“More than just to formulate a Citizen’s Charter, this has given us a better understanding of our processes, which translates to a better understanding of our mandates and our responsibilities,” DHSUD assistant secretary Avelino Tolentino said.