President Duterte is pushing for the government’s improved delivery of public service especially in the face of the coronavirus pandemic after he certified as urgent a bill giving the President authority to expedite the processing of permits and licenses during natural emergencies, Malacañang said Wednesday.

According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, the President wants a more responsive and efficient government in dealing with the needs of the people.

"The Palace confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has certified as urgent the immediate enactment of Senate Bill No. 1844, entitled 'An Act Authorizing the President to Expedite the Processing and Issuance of National and Local Permits, Licenses, and Certifications,'" Roque said.

"The President wants government agencies to be more responsive in the present COVID-19 pandemic and one way to realize this is to improve the delivery of public services," he said.

He said government agencies must reduce red tape and simplify procedures to facilitate ease of doing business.

"The Chief Executive hopes by simplifying processes and cutting red tape in the Executive branch we will be able to facilitate our country’s economic activity and accelerate socioeconomic recovery, for the betterment of our people," he added.

The Senate has so far passed the priority bill on third reading shortly after it was certified as urgent by the President. The bill seeks to authorize the President to further streamline process for issuance of national and local permits, licenses and certifications during a national emergency.

Duterte, in a letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, said the measure would  “facilitate economic activity, accelerate the socioeconomic recovery of the country and ensure the prompt delivery of public services in times of national emergency such as the present COVID-19 pandemic.”