QUEZON CITY -- The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is seeking to dialogue with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to call for the possible sharing of data to relevant government agencies.

Secretary Jeremiah Belgica, ARTA Director General, said they are looking into the possible sharing of data on birth, death, and marriage, among others, to government agencies via online.

This will make transactions easier, not only for the government agencies processing applications and requests, but also for the general public.

“Other government services availed by the citizens which require certificates issued by PSA are being looked into for possible integration,” he said in his letter to PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, Ph.D.

Belgica stressed that data privacy officers must be designated and a data sharing agreement between the government agencies should be signed for data privacy and cybersecurity.

“The privacy of the person should actually be protected,” he said over the Wednesday Roundtable @ Lido on 7 July 2021. “We want them actually to share the data that is only needed.”

The meeting was also set to address concerns that the Authority received on matters of acquiring the Certificate of Foundling and Certificate of Registration of Authority to Solemnize Marriage.

The ARTA chief said it is important for government agencies to streamline their processes first before automating, lest they bring red tape to the digital space.

He also said that involving PSA will be another way to disrupt the silo system prevalent in the Philippine government and foster a more collaborative working environment and integrated approach to delivering services. (ARTA)