DOST moves for a culture of responsible time management through 'Oras Pinas'

As the New Year approaches, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) once again emphasizes the importance of responsible time management for personal and national growth through the Oras Pinas, the National Time Consciousness Week.

Focusing on this year's theme, Oras Pinas: Tara Na! Kilos Na! This campaign calls on Filipinos to take decisive action towards personal and collective growth by reflecting and observing effective ways on time management, which could lead to empowered communities, enhanced productivity, and a secured future.

In an age filled with distractions, the importance of respecting and valuing one's time is often overlooked, which can lead to inconvenience and misunderstandings, affecting relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and communities in ways that are frequently underestimated. The demands of modern life and the constant influx of diversions contribute to the neglect of responsible time management.

As the New Year unfolds, DOST emphasizes that responsible time management is not just about the ticking of the clock, but about creating a ripple effect across society. The department envisions a broader societal impact, recognizing that valuing each other’s time is foundational to businesses, relationships, and community development.

The 2025 theme speaks directly to the core issue, urging Filipinos to cultivate a culture that treats time as a precious resource. "Oras Pinas: Tara Na! Kilos Na!" embodies enthusiasm, vibrancy, and a commitment to building a responsible and progressive society.

At the heart of this year’s campaign is the emphasis on managing commitments and responsibilities as essential components of personal and collective growth. The DOST aims to instill the value of time management, especially among young professionals, highlighting its significant impact on future success. By understanding the importance of time from an early age, the department believes that young Filipinos can better shape their personal and professional paths.

The Philippine Standard Time (PhST) Act of 2013

This campaign is in alignment with the Philippine Standard Time (PhST) Act of 2013, which promotes the "Pilipino Time" initiative under Republic Act No. 10535. This law mandates national and local government agencies and broadcasting companies to follow and display the PhST in their offices, fostering unity and efficiency in public administration.

The DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) serves as the official timekeeper for the nation. While the PhST was officially established by law, the campaign initially launched in 2011 as “Juan Time” – a play on the terms "One Time" (indicating a unified time) and "Juan," a common name for Filipinos. Two years ago, the campaign was rebranded to "Oras Pinas," with the goal of promoting a culture of punctuality and unity around a standardized time.

The synchronization of time is achieved through advanced technology. Since 2003, DOST-PAGASA has utilized a rubidium atomic clock, one of the two most widely used atomic clocks in the world, alongside the more accurate cesium clock. This atomic clock is equipped with a GPS receiver that captures time signals from at least four orbiting satellites. These satellites, each with atomic clocks, are periodically synchronized with a cesium clock based in Boulder, Colorado, ensuring that the DOST-PAGASA clock remains in sync with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

For those who wish to synchronize their timepieces, the official Oras Pinas time can be accessed through the DOST-PAGASA website at http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/.

For more updates on the Oras Pinas campaign, please visit the official DOST Philippines Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DOSTph. (By Allan Mauro V. Marfal, DOST-STII)

ARTA celebrates 343 new RIA Champions during its 3rd Annual ENRICH

Manila - The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) capped off its 2024 Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) training activities by recognizing participating government employees on its 3rd Annual ENRICH: Empowering Next-Generation RIA Champions at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City today, 03 December 2024. RIA Training equips government employees with the knowledge and skills to evaluate regulations and enhance their respective regulatory environments to ensure that regulations do not cause undue regulatory burdens to the transacting public:,

Led by ARTA Better Regulations Office – Regulatory Management and Training Division (BRO-RMTD), this event is the third annual recognition ceremony for the RIA trainees, which gathered a total of 343 government employees from 63 government offices and local government units, including trainees from ARTA's e-learning system, Policy Reform, Innovation, and Streamlining Management (PRISM). 

Called RIA Champions, the recognized employees completed Phase VI Capability Development Assistance on RIA conducted in partnership with Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), Phase IV RIA Manual Training conducted in partnership with Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Incorporated - Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (UPPAF-RESPOND), RIA Training for Local Government Units (LGUs) in partnership with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Urban Connect, and an Introductory Course on RIA conducted by the RMTD.

In his opening remarks, ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez reminded the urgency to streamline government processes and enhance ease of doing business in our country. 

"President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has made it a priority to improve bureaucratic efficiency and promote economic growth. By investing in capacity-building initiatives such as these RIA trainings, we are taking significant steps towards realizing the President's vision for a more prosperous and competitive Philippines," ARTA Secretary Perez said. 

Messages of support from ARTA partners including USAID Urban Connect Chief of Party Dr. Allex B. Brillantes, UPPAF-RESPOND Chief of Party Dr. Enrico L. Basilio, DAP President and CEO Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago, Australia Embassy to the Philippines Economic Section Counsellor Luke Villiers, and British Embassy Economic and Climate Change Counsellor Lloyd Cameron were delivered during the event.

Australia Embassy to the Philippines Economic Section Counsellor Luke Villiers underscored the vital role of regulatory reform in fostering economic prosperity of the  Philippines. In addition, British Embassy to the Philippines Economic and Climate Change Counsellor Lloyd Cameron expressed gratitude to ARTA for their dedication to economic reform by conducting RIA Trainings. Meanwhile, UPPAF-RESPOND Chief of Party Dr. Enrico L. Basilio conveyed sustained support for ARTA's RIA Training initiative.

This event also unveiled a new RIA training workbook, the Standard Cost Model Training Workbook, and expanded PRISM's course offerings with the addition of an Annual Regulatory Plan course.

Joining the recognition ceremony were ARTA executives, including Deputy Director General for Operations Undersecretary Gerald Divinagracia, Deputy Director General for Legal Undersecretary Geneses R. Abot, BRO Director Marbida L. Marbida, Legal and Public Assistance Office (LPAO) Director Leonardo O. Tapia, Investigation, Enforcement and Litigation Office (IELO) Director Concepcion Zeny Ferrolino-Enad, Compliance, Monitoring, and Evaluation Office (CMEO) Director Grace L. Fernandez, and Finance and Administrative Office (FAO) Director Lea-Grace B. Salcedo.

In the Bagong Pilipinas, where efficiency is the top priority, ARTA, together with its partners, will continue its initiative to help government offices improve their regulatory processes as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 

ARTA applauds the advancement of the National Government Rightsizing Program to the Senate

Manila - As a prospective member of the Rightsizing Committee, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) applauded the Senate's advancement of the National Government Rightsizing Program (NGRP) after Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero sponsored the Bill with Senator Joel Villanueva as a co-sponsor on 18 December 2024 during Senate 40th Plenary Session. 

Senate Bill No. 890, entitled "Rightsizing the National Government Act," seeks to establish a lean, efficient, and responsive government workforce by streamlining agency operations, optimizing organizational structures and staffing levels, enhancing interoperability among government agencies, and eliminating redundant, overlapping, or obsolete functions, programs, and projects. 

As an agency tasked with enhancing government efficiency and advancing regulatory reforms, ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez expressed optimism and full support for the passing of the bill.

"The National Rightsizing Program is one of President Marcos administration's top priorities, and we in ARTA are here to support it as best we can," the ARTA Chief said. 

"In its core, NGRP aligns with [ARTA’s] mandate to streamline and improve government efficiency, mas lalo nating papaigihin ang mga proseso sa gobyerno," he added. 

ARTA Secretary Perez personally attended its sponsorship in the Senate together with Better Regulations Office (BRO) Director Marbida L. Marbida and representatives from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Civil Service Commission (CSC).