ARTA eyes improved global competitiveness ranking with PH EODB Reform Guidebook launch

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

To improve the business environment in the Philippines, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) officially launched the first-ever Philippine Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Reform Guidebook on 22 May 2025, at the Manila Hotel, Pasay City.

Developed in coordination with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and the World Bank Group, the PH EODB Reform Guidebook outlines priority reforms, provides an implementation roadmap to ensure alignment with the ease of doing business agenda, and serves as a key reference document for policymakers, government agencies, and industry stakeholders in enhancing the country’s business climate.

The successful implementation of the PH EODB Reform Guidebook is projected to boost the Philippines' standing in key competitiveness indices, including the B-READY Report and others found in the Philippine Global Competitiveness Report Card.

ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez, who led the launch with ARTA's Better Regulation Office (BRO) Doing Business Division (DBD), expressed his excitement about the new guidebook.

"We are pleased to launch it today as part of the first National Ease of Doing Business Month, under Proclamation No. 818. The theme—“From Red Tape to Red Carpet: Better Business Movement in a Bagong Pilipinas”—reflects our goal to transform the everyday experiences of citizens, entrepreneurs, and investors," Secretary Perez said. 

The ARTA Chief has also recognized the importance of reform in the regulatory process of government service. 

"This is necessary work of mature governance, and it must be done again and again, until the experience of government becomes predictable not for its slowness, but for its fairness," he added. 

During the same event, an Awarding Ceremony for EODB Partners was held, honoring government agencies and private sector organizations. This segment underscored the crucial contributions of these key stakeholders in advancing business-friendly reforms and cultivating a more competitive regulatory environment.

Speakers from the event were Department of Finance (DOF) Assistant Secretary Neil Adrian Cabiles, Office of the President (OP) Assistant Secretary Kristine Joy Diaz-Teston, Australian Embassy in the Philippines Economic Counsellor Luke Villiers, World Bank Group Senior Economist Jaime Frias, Buklod Bayani Coalition Secretary General Roberto “Bobby” A. Alvarez Jr., and Embassy of Israel in the Philippines Ambassador His Excellency Ilan Fluss.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac, DBM Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for eGovernment David Almirol also graced the event.

Local Government Units (LGUs) heads were also present including Cabadbaran City, Agusan Del Norte City Mayor Hon. Judy Amante; Maramag, Bukidnon Municipal Mayor Hon. Jose Joel Doromal; Santa Rosa City, Laguna City Vice Mayor Hon. Arlene Arcillas; San Roque, Northen Samar Municipal Mayor Hon. Maria Ana Abalon; Naawan, Misamis Oriental Municipal Mayor Hon. Dennis Roa; Dingalan, Aurora Municipal Mayor Hon. Shierwin Taay; General Trias, Cavite City Mayor Hon. Luis Ferrer IV; General Trias, Cavite City Vice Mayor Hon. Jonas Labuguen; Ilagan, Isabela City Mayor Hon. Josemarie Diaz; Socorro, Surigao Del Norte Municipal Mayor Hon. Riza Rafonselle Timcang; Baliwag, Bulacan City Mayor Hon. Ferdinand Estrella; Ubay, Bohol Municipal Mayor Hon. Constantino Reyes; Surallah, South Cotabato Municipal Mayor Hon. Pedro Matinong, Jr.; Don Carlos, Bukidnon Municipal Mayor Hon. Ma. Victoria Pizarro; and Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte City Mayor Hon. Frederick Siao.

Private sector groups including Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil.) Inc. President Mahesh P. Mirpuri, Philippines-Norway Business Council Inc. President Carl Martin Faannessen, Asian Intitute Management - Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness (AIM-RSNPCC) Chairman Guillermo “Bill” M. Luz, Management Association of the Philippines Ease of Doing Business Committee Co-Vice Chair Ruy Y. Moreno, PLDT Vice President/Head - Public Sector Enterprise Revenue Group Public Sector PLDT Enterprise Ruby Montoya, National Real Estate Association, Inc Vice President - External Josephine Pen Cortez, Association of International Shipping Lines, Inc. President Patrick Ronas, Philippine Ship Agents Association President Ricardo Jamandre, Smart Vice President Pamela Felizarta, and Globe Telecom Inc. Vice President - Strategic Partnerships and Programs Michelle Ora also joined.

Fully supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to transform red tape into a red carpet of opportunities, ARTA will continue its efforts to streamline all government processes nationwide for the benefit of all Filipinos.

THE FINAL PUFF: Why the 20th Congress Must Pass the Plain Packaging Bill Now

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Just days before the world marks No Tobacco Day, a growing storm of advocacy is sweeping through the country—loud, urgent, and unmistakable in its call: pass the Plain Packaging Bill now.

Health champions from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Philippines, environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition, and regional experts from Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) are sounding the alarm. The target? The 20th Congress and its newly elected lawmakers, who now hold the power to protect generations from the mounting threat of tobacco and electronic smoking device (ESD) addiction.

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

At the heart of this advocacy lies a chilling truth: the tobacco and vape industries are preying on the Filipino youth.

“The flashy, deceptive packaging of cigarettes and vapes are designed to catch the eyes of our children,” warned Dr. Maricar Limpin, Executive Director of ASH Philippines. “Current laws are weak, with graphic health warnings placed only at the lower half of packs, easily hidden or ignored in retail displays.”

Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo of SEATCA adds an even more damning comparison: the Philippines trails behind its ASEAN neighbors in implementing effective deterrents. While countries like Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, and Brunei have adopted plain packaging—placing large, unavoidable health warnings at the top of tobacco products—the Philippines remains the only ASEAN country with warnings on the bottom half of the pack.

“This positioning is not just a design flaw; it’s a public health failure,” Dr. Dorotheo emphasized.

THE YOUTH ARE THE TARGET — AND THE VICTIMS

The statistics speak volumes. Smoking and vaping rates among Filipino youth are rising, with aggressive marketing, sweet flavorings, and packaging made to mimic candy and tech gadgets luring in a new generation of nicotine addicts.

“Every bright color and shiny logo on those packs is a trap,” declared Dr. Limpin. “They’re engineered for addiction. It’s time for Congress to strip these products of their seductive masks.”

Plain packaging, according to ASH Philippines, eliminates this visual manipulation. It standardizes font, removes branding and logos, and leaves behind only the stark reality of smoking’s deadly consequences.

ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE: ANOTHER CASUALTY

This isn’t just a health crisis—it’s an environmental one too.

“Cigarette butts remain the most littered waste worldwide, and vapes have only made things worse,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition. “The shift to plain packaging won’t just curb consumption; it will reduce the amount of plastic, metal, and toxic e-waste polluting our landfills and oceans.”

Less addiction, they argue, means less pollution. It’s a win not just for lungs, but for landscapes, oceans, and future generations.

GOALS OF THE PLAIN PACKAGING BILL

This is not a shot in the dark. Globally tested and proven, plain packaging serves several goals:

Kills the allure of tobacco and vape products

Amplifies graphic health warnings

Prevents youth initiation into smoking or vaping

Reduces health care burdens from tobacco-related diseases

Cuts down on environmental waste

Supports law enforcement in identifying illicit or counterfeit products

Aligns with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

A CONGRESS PUT TO THE TEST

ASH Philippines and its allies are throwing down the gauntlet. The call is simple but forceful: File and pass the Plain Packaging Bill—now. Not next year. Not next Congress. Not after another youth becomes addicted.

The inclusion of vapes, heated tobacco, and all ESDs must be non-negotiable.

Legislators are being reminded of their sworn duty to protect the Filipino people, especially the young. The youth are not just tomorrow’s leaders—they are today’s most vulnerable targets.

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW

As the world prepares to mark World No Tobacco Day, the Philippines stands at a crossroads. The 20th Congress has a rare and powerful chance to turn the tide. To stop Big Tobacco and Vape industries from glamorizing death. To push back against corporate greed with legislative courage.

This is more than a bill. It’s a declaration.

That our children’s lungs are worth more than tobacco profits.

That the health of our people cannot be sacrificed at the altar of marketing.

That silence, delay, and inaction are no longer acceptable.

Let this be the legacy of the 20th Congress: a bold, decisive stand for health, truth, and a smoke-free future.

Ipasa ang Plain Packaging Bill. Ngayon na.

Ross Flores Del Rosario is the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, an online media platform dedicated to empowering communities through information, transparency, and action.

Real Talk, Real Damage, Coffeebreak Cafe versus Euleen Castro: When Brutal Honesty Becomes Digital Wreckage

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a digital age driven by likes, shares, and quick takes, the currency of influence is powerful—and volatile. One viral post can elevate a humble establishment into overnight fame. Another can raze it to the ground in under 30 seconds.

That’s the harsh reality Coffeebreak Café found itself facing after TikTok influencer Euleen Castro’s now-infamous review went live. With a sweeping “Walang masarap!” and a string of profanities, she didn’t just critique the café—she obliterated it. No nuance, no suggestion for improvement, no explanation. Just a viral takedown masquerading as a review.

Let’s get something straight: honesty isn’t the enemy here. Consumers deserve transparency. Influencers, like any customer, have the right to share authentic experiences—good or bad. But when “honest” becomes harsh and “feedback” turns into fire, what we’re left with is not a helpful critique, but collateral damage.

Behind Every Cup of Coffee Is a Story

Every café, karinderya, sari-sari store, or food stall is more than a business—it’s someone’s dream. A livelihood. A team of cooks, servers, baristas, cleaners, and owners who’ve poured their time, money, and effort into every plate, every cup, every single transaction.

So when an influencer with a million-strong audience drops a careless bomb without context or constructive input, the fallout is real. Bookings get canceled. Foot traffic dwindles. Jobs are threatened. All because of a few seconds of content created for clout.

Influence Is Power—Use It With Care

The argument that “she’s just being real” doesn’t hold when you command massive online reach. There’s a difference between being a consumer and being a content creator whose opinions shape public perception on a large scale. That power comes with responsibility.

This isn’t about censorship. It’s about consciousness.

Saying “walang masarap” without elaboration is not a critique—it’s a verdict. And when paired with profanities, the review reads less like an honest complaint and more like a personal vendetta. While some may argue the cursing was directed at the food, not the people, that nuance is lost on audiences who only hear anger, not insight.

The internet doesn’t need more noise. It needs voices that are honest and humane. Criticism? Absolutely. But give us why. Give us what. Give us a chance to see the experience through your lens—not just the rage.

For the Business: Responding With Grace, Not Grenades

On the other side of this drama, Coffeebreak didn’t exactly win gold for crisis response either. Their post clapping back at Euleen may have been driven by emotion, but it lacked polish. While it’s understandable to defend your brand, engaging in a public tit-for-tat with a high-profile critic rarely ends well.

There’s a delicate line between standing up for your livelihood and appearing defensive—or worse, chasing the same clout you're criticizing. Professionalism means knowing when to speak, and when silence protects your dignity more than a rebuttal ever will.

Acknowledging the feedback, however harsh, and rising above the noise sends a louder, clearer message: We’re here to serve, to improve, and to listen. That’s the kind of narrative that lasts longer than outrage.

When Honesty Hurts More Than It Heals

Some will argue that reviews don’t need to be diplomatic. That real frustration deserves real expression. Fair enough. Not every bad experience needs to be sugarcoated.

But let’s not pretend all brutal honesty is born from truth alone. Sometimes, it’s shaped by an algorithm craving drama. Sometimes, it’s a performance for the feed, not a plea for better service. And when the scales tip toward destruction over dialogue, that’s no longer about being real—it’s about being reckless.

Harsh reviews, even the bluntest ones, can spark improvement—if they’re constructive. A sweeping takedown with no path forward is just noise. And worse, it’s lazy content disguised as critique.

Critique With Class, Create With Conscience

If you’re an influencer or an aspiring reviewer, remember: your voice can build or break. So be real—but be responsible. Criticize—but with class. Create—but with conscience.

Say the truth—but say it like you know people worked hard behind the scenes. Because they did.

This isn’t about shielding businesses from criticism. It’s about preserving human dignity in a world increasingly desensitized to consequences. And in this battle between clout and compassion, it’s time we ask ourselves:

Do we want to be honest?

Or do we want to be humane?

Because the best voices online aren’t the loudest—they’re the ones that uplift while they correct, that educate while they express, and that never forget the people behind the plates.