SENATOR Win Gatchalian urged the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to accelerate the digitalization of local government units, emphasizing that this is the only way to effectively combat corruption and improve ease of doing business in the country.
“Red tape is one of the factors that deters economic growth. We need to ensure that digitalization is felt on the ground, in every LGU,” Gatchalian said.
“Maganda nga ‘yung process natin sa national pero kung hindi naman digitalized ang local, sayang lang,” said Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, at a recent Senate hearing on ARTA’s proposed 2026 budget.
The Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS), a landmark law authored by Gatchalian, shows low adoption among LGUs, with ARTA noting that only 113 out of 1,634 cities and municipalities are fully compliant. EVOSS streamlines energy project permits by unifying all relevant agencies in one system.
“You need to craft a program that will completely digitalize the LGUs,” Gatchalian told ARTA Director General Secretary Ernesto Perez, adding that he is willing to push for additional budget necessary to fast-track digitalization of LGUs.
PRESIDENT MARCOS VOWS BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS, MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FILIPINO NURSES 
‘TAKE DOUBLE PRECAUTION,’ ERWIN TULFO TELLS OFWS AMID CHAOS IN FRANCE, SAUDI, ISRAEL 
DROP IN SORSOGON POVERTY RATE CREDITED TO CHIZ-ERA REFORMS 
11 TAGGED IN 521 KILOS OF PH-BOUND SHABU SEIZED IN LAOS 
PBBM SEEKS DIALOGUE WITH CHINESE ENVOY OVER REMARKS ON ‘USE OF FORCE’ 
SENATORS SLAM CONTENT CREATORS OVER MOCKERY OF PERSONS WIITH AUTISM 
COPS SMASH MABALACAT CITY DRUG DEN 
2 NIGERIAN HVIS FALL 
ALIEN YIELDS P6-M ECSTASY IN ANGELES CITY 
PRO3 SEIZES P2.72-M SHABU IN MABALACAT, PAMPANGA