kotong

Sen. Bam Hits Harassment, Corruption vs. Foreign Investors

Senator Bam Aquino condemned the rampant harassment, red tape and other forms of corruption in government agencies, saying these illegal activities force foreign businessmen to pack their bags and bring their investments to other countries.

“Good governance is key in promoting ease of doing business. All forms of harassment and corruption at any level of government weakens our national competitiveness and hampers our drive for sustained economic growth,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

“These instances discourage prime potential investments, take away job and other livelihood opportunities for Filipinos and may hamper the nation’s achievement of its investment and growth targets,” added Aquino.

Aquino’s reaction stemmed from complaints of foreign nationals who experienced harassment, extortion and other forms of corruption in several government agencies while doing business in the country.

In addition, the senator said numerous permits, clearances and requirements, red tape, inconsistent regulations, and non-uniformity of fees being imposed are becoming too burdensome for investors.

“There is a need to simplify the procedure of registration for foreign investors in order to promote investments in the Philippines,” the senator stressed.

 Aquino recently filed Resolution No. 762 seeking to conduct an investigation on the procedure of registration of foreign investments and fees imposed by government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Board of Investments and Bureau of Immigration.

“This move aims to rationalize the administration of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for foreign investors,” the senator said.

 The BOI, as a policy-making body, is charged with the duties, among others, of preparing an annual investment priorities plan that gives incentives to specific activities.

It also recommends to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) the entry of foreign nationals for employment purposes and inspects registered enterprises for compliance purposes.

 In addition, Aquino has initiated the creation of WASAK or the “Walang Asenso sa Kotong” hotline (16565 and 0908-8816565) where small businessmen can air their complaints and other issues against government agencies.

 

Sen. Bam, Gov’t Agencies, Private Groups Set Up MSMEs Hotline vs. Graft and Corruption

 

The days of corrupt government officials and employees are now numbered through hotline numbers 16565 and 0908-8816565.

The Office of Senator Bam Aquino (OSBA) and concerned government agencies and private groups have joined forces to form WASAK or the “Walang Asenso sa Kotong” campaign where small businessmen can air their complaints and other issues against government agencies.

“Our office’s main advocacy is to fight poverty and unemployment through entrepreneurship. However, our small businesses have become milking cows for crooked government employees and private individuals,” said Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

The launching of the hotline was held at the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Quezon City.  It was attended bySen. Aquino, CSC Chair Francis Duque and COO Donald Dee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Other partners of the campaign include the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bantay.ph and the National Competiveness Council (NCC).

“This hotline gives the micro and small entrepreneurs an avenue to air their complaints and other issues against illegal practices such as graft and corruption, red tape and extortion that are detrimental to their growth,” the senator added.

Aquino said graft and corruption in government must stop because it drives away potential entrepreneurs and other investors and prevents existing businesses from expanding.

The CCB is a platform for citizens to forward their complaints on red tape, kotong and tongpats, and under-the-table incidents through text messages, email and phone calls.

“The hotline also provides an avenue where complaints and issues are resolved in an effective and timely manner. Now, entrepreneurs have a dependable ally in Wasak,” stressed Aquino.

Wasak also seeks to provide developmental advice for micro and small entrepreneurs regarding product development, marketing, business growth and financial management.

 

Scroll to top