BukSU, ARTA Formalize Partnership on Public Service and Ease of Doing Business

Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Secretary Ernesto V. Perez visited Bukidnon State University (BukSU) to formalize a partnership that will integrate Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery topics into selected undergraduate and graduate programs through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Perez and BukSU President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol signed the agreement at the university’s main campus in Malaybalay City on July 15, 2026.

ARTA, an agency attached to the Office of the President, implements Republic Act 11032, or the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.” The law requires government agencies to improve public service delivery, reduce bureaucratic processes and processing time, and adopt regulatory management practices.

Under the MOU, BukSU will integrate EODB topics into the curricula of the Bachelor of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration, Doctor of Public Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration, and Master of Business Administration programs.

The integration will cover courses offered by the College of Public Administration and Governance and the College of Business, including programs delivered through the university’s main and satellite campuses.

University launches digital service tools

Alongside the signing of the MOU, BukSU introduced two initiatives designed to improve access to university services: the BukSU Wayfinder and the Digital Citizen’s Charter.

“We inaugurated the BukSU Wayfinder and the Digital Citizen’s Charter. They reflect a simple but powerful principle behind the Ease of Doing Business Act: public service should be easy to find, easy to understand, and easy to access,” Client Care Center Head Dr. Ian Necosia said.

“The Wayfinder helps our clients navigate the university, while the Digital Citizen’s Charter empowers them with clear information on the services that they need, the requirements they must prepare, and the standards they can rightfully expect. Together, they remind us that the true measure of good governance is not whether people can find our offices, but whether they can experience an efficient, transparent, and responsive service once they get there,” Necosia added.

The university is also extending access to its digital public assistance tools. Front Desk Public Assistance personnel Ms. Demi Lorenz F. Jover said, “Since the Wayfinder and Citizen’s Charter are already available on our website, we are now integrating them into our physical information kiosks, wayfinder stations, and digital information displays.”

ARTA presented BukSU with a Special Recognition award, citing the university’s efforts to streamline university operations and promote public transparency.

The plaque states: “The award recognizes BukSU’s breakthrough initiative of establishing Citizen’s Charter Kiosks across its campus. This initiative directly aligns with the mandates of Republic Act No. 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.”

BukSU has also updated its physical ARTA information posters following a directive requiring government agencies to refresh public information displays. The new posters have been installed at the main campus and satellite campuses.

Ms. Rosanna S. Generato, Chief Administrative Officer of the Administrative Services Division and Vice Chair of the Committee on Anti-Red Tape, said the initiative helps clients locate university offices and understand transaction requirements.

“These initiatives reflect BukSU’s vision of becoming a future-ready university where technology enhances the way we serve our students, employees, alumni, parents, visitors, and stakeholders,” Generato said.

BukSU President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol redefined ARTA as the university’s framework for public service: Accountability, Responsiveness, Transparency, and Accessibility.

“At BukSU, we believe that when Accountability drives our actions, Responsiveness shapes our service, Transparency builds trust, and Accessibility opens opportunities, transformation becomes inevitable,” Mirasol said. She added that the university will integrate these values into its curriculum to help prepare future public servants.

ARTA signs agreements with civil society organizations

During his visit to BukSU, Perez also signed separate MOUs with several civil society organizations (CSOs) from Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. The agreements designate participating organizations as ARTA Champions to support the implementation of RA 11032 through public awareness activities, stakeholder engagement, and the reporting of concerns related to government transactions.

ARTA will provide training, orientation, and information materials, receive and act on endorsed complaints, and consult participating organizations on initiatives involving regulatory systems, policies, and procedures of national government agencies and local government units. (with report from Cziaralyn D. Fernandez/ BukSU IU Intern)