“The head of office or agency shall be primarily responsible for the implementation of the Anti-Red Tape Act,” said Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Francisco T. Duque III upon the release of CSC Memorandum Circular No. 9, s. 2014 reiterating agency compliance with the landmark law aimed at curbing red tape and improving frontline service delivery. 
July 15, 2014
The Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB), the government’s central helpline against red tape, is expanding to accommodate complaints on extortion (kotong) and bribery (suhol) from micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) through its text messaging hotline 0908-881-6565.
This was announced today by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), project owner of the CCB, during the launch of WASAK or “Walang Asenso sa Kotong” project in Quezon City.
Initiated by the Office of Senator Bam Aquino in collaboration with government agencies and private groups, WASAK seeks to provide necessary and timely assistance to business-related concerns in support of the implementation of Republic Act No. 9485, also known as the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007.
Under the project, the CCB will serve as the feedback mechanism through which MSMEs can air out their complaints on red tape, kotong, and suhol, and report government personnel or agencies that cause undue delays in business transactions and projects. The CSC and other partner agencies will ensure that complaints are addressed promptly, and that proper disciplinary action is imposed on government officials and employees involved.
“We are honored to lend our support to the WASAK campaign through the Contact Center ng Bayan, and be of help to MSMEs and the improvement of our country’s business and economic climate,” CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III said.
Chair Duque also lauded the Office of Senator Bam Aquino for initiating the project, and the partner agencies and private groups for their commitment. “With all of us involved in this endeavor, I am confident that we could make a difference and strengthen the implementation of ARTA even further,” he said.
Aside from CSC, partners of the WASAK campaign include the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Competitiveness Council, Bantay.ph, and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
About the CCB
In support of the ARTA implementation, the CSC and the Information and Communications Technology Office – National Computer Center (ICTO-NCC) launched on September 2012 the CCB as a feedback mechanism that places in one loop access to government agencies offering frontline services. There were six participating agencies in the pilot run, namely the CSC, NCC, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The number of participating agencies will soon increase to include the Land Registration Authority (LRA), Social Security System (SSS), and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
The CCB accepts reports on red tape in government frontline service delivery, particularly those pertaining to fixing; failure to observe the “No Noon Break” policy; unmanned public assistance and complaints desk; imposition of additional fees not stated in the Citizen’s Charter; discourteous and unhelpful frontline staff; absence of special lane for elderly, pregnant women, and persons with disability; and rendering service without official receipt.
The CCB may be accessed by calling 1-6565 via PLDT and Smart landlines nationwide, sending an SMS/text message to 0908-881-6565, or lodging a complaint online via www.contactcenterngbayan.gov.ph.
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