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The Anti-Red Tape Authority opened an onsite quick assistance post at Matnog Port
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The ARTAmbayan outpost at Tagabisay checkpoint aims to deter fixers and other violators of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018
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Complaints against extortion arising from heavy congestion at the Sorsogon gateway have led to the launch of ARTAmbayan
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has launched an onsite quick assistance post at Matnog Port where the public can relay their concerns about fixing and red tape at the busy Sorsogon gateway.
The ARTAmbayan outpost at Tagabisay checkpoint also aims to deter fixers and other violators of Republic Act (RA) No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
ARTAmbayan was launched after ARTA received complaints that the port was heavily congested, leading to the proliferation of extortion activities.
READ: Matnog Port one-stop shop eyed to address extortion
ARTA said ARTAmbayan should strengthen the agency’s capacity and make its services more accessible to the public, especially in handling concerns and complaints, as part of its mandate under RA 11032.
The ARTAmbayan outpost will be manned by trained volunteers from the agency.
Matnog Port is a jump-off point from Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao. It handles roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels and services passengers. The port has been suffering from perennial congestion and truck queuing, especially during the holidays, when passengers travelling home swamp the terminal.
The issue of fixing and corruption at Matnog Port has beset the terminal and compounded cargo truck queuing, particularly on roads leading to the terminal.
READ: ARTA eyes online booking for Matnog port to lick congestion
Port and maritime agencies last year said measures were laid out to address the issues, particularly those that hampered shipping operations at the port due to congestion and truck queuing.
ARTA said it had held meetings and hearings with members of the private sector, various national government agencies and local government units to address the issues at Matnog Port. It has also intensified its monitoring operations and investigations on the ground.
In January, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said it would expedite repair of facilities at the port to encourage shipping lines to deploy more vessels.
READ: Transport, LGU authorities working to solve Matnog port gridlock
For the long term, construction of the Sorsogon Ro-Ro Terminal starting this year should address the perennial congestion at Matnog Port, where repairs of damaged facilities are now in full swing. PPA is also putting up a truck holding area this year.
Sorsogon Provincial Administrator Enrique Renoria, Matnog Municipal Administrator Dionebel Figueroa and the provincial police earlier agreed to set up a checkpoint and issue queuing tickets three kilometers before the entrance to the port to prevent fixers from preying on hapless port users.
