The creation of a Citizen’s Charter was address to curb bureaucratic red tape that plague local government units (LGUs).
The Toledo officials and department heads with close monitoring from Civil service staff, City Administrator's office with DILG recently held Project CURE (Comprehensive and Unified Response to Eliminate) Red Tape in LGUs, a seminar and workshop on efficient ways of delivering services to clients and barangays.
In compliance with the Anti-Red Tape Act (RA 9485) and in cooperation with the Civil Service Commission-Region 7, the City of Toledo has been chosen as the pilot city for the formulation and drafting of the Citizen's charter, the first ever charter for the region.
Toledo Citizens Charter- edition one was submitted last march March 27, 2009 before the deadline set by the Commission. To properly launched the charter, and to provide better understanding and the role each employee shall have once the Charter shall be formally and publicly launched, employees were made to attend orientation and set on a dry-run. The citizens work group was headed by Engr. Avelino Zambo Jr., assisted by Edwin Abad ,HRMO with Caroline Labrador assisted by GICS staff and data contributions from every department /offices.
It was also explained to department heads and offices concerned prior to the drafting of the citizens service charter that the charter aims to fully augment the delivery of service in every offices. An orientation was held in every department to fully assess the program prior to the launching. There was also a scheduling of visits to every offices for the implementation to identify whether each department fully understood the charter.
DILG officials said this will serve as a guide and barometer in monitoring the efficacy of services rendered by the employees as the book contains step-by-step procedure in front line services like financial and medical assistance and requests for tax certificates.
The City Administrator also said this will help improve LGU service for this will serve as catalyst to eliminate corruption in the government.
And to fully implement the program, Toledo is set to launch the Citizens service charter on the 29th of June with the flag raising ceremony along with the heads of office from the Civil Service Commission Regional field office.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod also approved Ordinance no. 2009-10 : An ordinance establishing the Citizen's srvice charter of Toledo City, in compliance to the Republic Act 9485 or otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007".
ordinance no. 2009-10
an ordinance establishing the citizens service charter of Toledo City in compliance to republic act 9485 or otherwise known as the "anti-red tape act of 2007"
Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Toledo in session
assembled that:
Section 1 : Title: This ordinance shall be known as the "Citizen's service charter ordinance of Toledo City.
Section 2. Purpose- This ordinance is enacted to provide a service guide information on the step-by-step procedure
on availing the frontline services of the different departments of the City
government of Toledo in order to reduce bureaucratic red tape, ensure transparency in government administration and encourage people's
feedback, comments and suggestions.
Section 3. Declaration of principles- The enactment of this ordinance is anchored in and its implementation shall be guided
by the following principles.
a. Transparency in government administration requires information openness in matters involving the series of government;
b. information openness ensures efficiency that effectively enforces accountability
of public offices.
Definition of terms"as used in this ordinance , the following terms shall mean
as follows:
a. Citizens charter - an official document, service, standard or pledge that communicates information on the services
provided by the government; step by step procedure for availing a particular service;
b. Frontline services - transation between clients & government offices/ agencies (applications for any privilege, right, permit, reward,
license, concession, or for any modification, renewal,or extension of the enumerated applications and / or rquests.
c Officer/employee - person employed in the government office or agency required to perform responsibilities related
to the application or request.
Section 5. Coverage. subject to the provisions of pertinent laws in force,or in which may hereafter be promulgated, this ordinance shall apply to & cover all
departments , officers and employees of the Local government of Toledo City.
Section 6. Declaration of commitment and duty. The City government of Toledo hereby declares it commitment and duty to bind itself to undertake the following:
a. Update, reprint and distribute the Toledo Citizens service charter to the different barangays of the City including the business, religious,
civic sectors and the academe;
b. Update the Toledo Citizen's service charter to the City website www.toledocity.gov.ph;
Section 7. Procedure for redress - In case of the failure of the City government to make accessible or available the Toledo City Citizen's service charter, any resident of Toledo City
can serve a written notice to the office of the City Mayor, copy furnished the Sangguniang Panlungsod, requesting the
performance thereof. Within 15 days from receipt, the City Mayor shall make a written reply, copy furnished the Sangguniang Panlungsod indicating the reason for the
failure, if any, and the timetable for performance which in no case shall be less than three (3) months from date receipt of the letter request.
Section 8. Funding and appropriation - the City Government shall provide in its annual budget sufficient fund
necessary to maintain, improve & update the Toledo City citizen's service charter.
Section 9. Separability.Should any portion of this ordinance be declared
unconstitutional or illegal by any court of competent jurisdiction, the pOrtions
not so declared shall remain in full force & effect.
Section 10. Repealing clause. All ordinances, executive orders and administrative issuances,
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 11. Effectivity. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.............
cERTIFIED CORRECT:
sgd. BONIFACIO TATAD
Board Secretary VI (SP Secretary)
attested:
sgd. AURELIO P.ESPINOSA
city Vice Mayor / Presiding officer
Approved: June 15, 2009 , Toledo City
SGD. ARLENE E. ZAMBO
City Mayor