Mandatory digitalization... ‘Grave concerns’ raised over...

registering a business and has encouraged entrepreneurs to establish and grow their enterprises.

He noted that out of the 17 local governments assessed, only seven have achieved full implementation of the e-BOSS. Five of the seven local governments that have fully implemented the e-BOSS “have witnessed a collective increase in business registration and revenue collection for the year 2022,” the chief executive said.

“The success of e-BOSS is a testament to the power of digital transformation in promoting ease of business and stimulating economic development,” Marcos said.

Marcos also cited ARTA’s partnership with the 888 citizens complaint center, a move that he said has provided a channel for citizens to voice their concerns and initiate complaints against agencies that fail to deliver efficient, timely and effective public services.

Marcos ended his speech by emphasizing the importance of digitalization in the bureaucracy.

“While we say that digitalization is no longer a mere option but already a mandatory requirement in the rendition of government services, we do not impose undue burdens on the shoulders of our fellow servants. As we shorten the lines, cut the steps and simplify the procedures, we assure everyone that doing so can only be the next best way to enable our stakeholders to reach their goals,” the president said.

In a video message, First Lady Liza Marcos thanked ARTA for its contributions in improving the delivery of government services.

“I was told that this year’s theme, SPEED, stands for streamlining the Philippines for effective and efficient digitalization... So SPEED is aligned with the president’s priorities in the delivery of government services,” Liza said.

“Thank you for all you do to make our country a better place to live in,” she added. (by Alexis Romero/ Philstar.com) n

Pimentel’s warning that the failure of the MIF might lead to the collapse of banking institutions, particularly the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, “if we lose everything” to the fund.

“That’s just panic. There’s no basis for that,” Diokno told reporters.

He explained that Landbank would invest only 3 percent of its total available fund in the MIF.

“Actually, its investible fund is more than P1 trillion. It will only contribute P50 billion and it will probably get higher returns compared to its current fund. That’s it,” he said.

The finance chief added that board members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS) should not be “precluded” from investing in the MIF.

“That’s a board decision, right?” Diokno said, referring to the possible decision of GSIS and SSS board members to invest in the MIF.

Not enough safeguards

“It’s a decision of the board, that’s why there are boards, right? While they are presidential appointees, they act in the best interest of the company,” he added.

Pimentel also played down the supposed safeguards that the proponents have set up in the measure against possible fund embezzlement, such as the setting up of external and internal auditors, citing the recent experience of the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp., which entered into a P6-billion consultancy contract and tapped a flyby-night audit firm to check its collection from online gaming operations. dollars, then the amount of our fines now looks puny. Will the possibility of a P5million fine deter the criminal mind from taking advantage of an illegal payout to the tune of $5 million? How about $50 million?” he said.

Pimentel also proposed that all current and future lawmakers should be disqualified from taking “direct and indirect” benefits from the MIF.

Despite proponents’ assurance of sufficient safeguards, Pimentel noted that the bill did not impose jail time for any fund misuse by MIF officers, but a fine of only P5 million.

“If we realize that frauds in investment schemes can amount to billions of U.S.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on her colleagues to carefully study the possible implications of the fund, which would exist for generations.

“Without robust safeguards, there is a risk of mismanagement, corruption, and the misuse of public funds. We must prioritize transparency and accountability in any financial endeavor of this magnitude,” she said. n