ARTA Hails the Official Declaration of May as Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Month

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has officially declared May of every year as the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Month through Proclamation No. 818, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on 3 March 2025. The proclamation designates the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) as the lead agency responsible for overseeing the annual observance of EODB Month.

A significant move to improve bureaucratic efficiency in the country through a whole-of-nation approach, the directive mandates all national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and local government units (LGUs) covered under Republic Act No. 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, as amended, to coordinate with ARTA in implementing programs and initiatives related to the EODB Month celebration. This initiative aims to streamline government processes, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, and foster a more business-friendly environment across the country.

May 2025 also marks the seventh (7th) anniversary of the enactment of the Ease of Doing Business Law, which was signed into law on 28 May 2018. To commemorate EODB Month and this milestone, ARTA will organize a series of activities throughout the month to raise awareness, encourage compliance with the EODB Law, and highlight the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance ease of doing business in the Philippines.

As part of its reform agenda, ARTA will continue to strengthen public-private partnerships and recognize LGUs compliant with the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS). These LGUs have demonstrated adherence to the core functionalities outlined in ARTA-DTI-DILG-DICT Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2021-01. As of December 2024, 113 LGUs have been validated as eBOSS-compliant, with ARTA aiming to commend at least 100 more LGUs this year through continuous validation of compliance.

With the proclamation, ARTA will continue to push for the setting up of Business One-Stop Shop for additional priority sectors such as renewable energy, responsible mining, food and agriculture, water treatment and conservation, semi- conductor, mass housing, and ship building. 

To accelerate digital transformation in government services, ARTA will also roll out the electronic Complaints Management System (eCMS) and the corresponding Ease of Doing Business Portal with the use of technology to improve the efficiency of handling and resolving business-related complaints. Additionally, ARTA will continue to train government agencies on the Philippine Business Regulations Information System (PBRIS) and the Anti-Red Tape Electronic Management Information System (ARTEMIS). These digital tools aim to enhance regulatory transparency, promote data-driven governance, and streamline interactions between businesses and government agencies.

Additionally, ARTA will continue to expand its network of ARTA Champions, building on the 26 new partners in 2024, bringing the total to 36. These ARTA Champions, comprising key representatives from government agencies and the private sector, play a crucial role in addressing ease of doing business and red tape-related concerns.

To further support these initiatives, ARTA will also launch the Philippine Reform Guidebook, based on the B-READY Index, in conjunction with EODB Month and ARTA’s anniversary celebrations. The 2025 Philippine Reform Guidebook will address gaps identified in the 2024 World Bank Group (WBG) B-READY Report and serve as a strategic resource for improving the country’s ranking in the coming years to attract more investments

Through these efforts, the government reaffirms its commitment to advancing reforms that drive economic growth, enhance bureaucratic efficiency, and position the Philippines as a globally competitive investment destination in a Bagong Pilipinas.