President Marcos Jr. has ordered the streamlining and simplification of the permitting process for infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) to expedite their implementation in support of the country’s bid for economic transformation.
The President, through Executive Order No. 59 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 30, said the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 recognizes the need to expand and upgrade the country’s infrastructure to achieve meaningful economic transformation.
There are 185 IFPs that have been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board.
EO 59 streamlines the issuance of required licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorizations to expedite the implementation of IFPs, consistent with Republic Act 9485 or the Anti Red-Tape Act of 2007.
The streamlined requirements shall apply to all pending and new applications submitted by the national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUS) for projects included in the NEDA Board-approved list of IFPs.
The EO states: “No other national or local permit or clearance shall be required in the construction, installation, repair, operation, and/or maintenance of IFPS except for the Environmental Compliance Certificate/Certificate of Non-Coverage issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Building Permit/Occupational Permit/Certificate of Occupancy issued by the City/Municipal Building Official; Excavation Permit issued by the concerned LGU, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and/or the Bases Conversion and Development Authority; and Other requirements as mandated by the Constitution and existing laws”.
The EO said the Citizen’s Charters of all NGAs and LGUs shall remove redundant and burdensome procedures and requirements, and ensure that the revised procedures and requirements are accessible to the transacting public, in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
The number of signatories in any document shall also be limited to a maximum of three signatures of the officers directly supervising the office or department responsible.
“When applicable, NGAS and LGUs are encouraged to apply and utilize the Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure service of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT),” the EO added.
The NGAs and LGUs are also directed to adopt a system for online and/or electronic submission and acceptance of applications for, and issuance of licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorizations relative to the implementation of IFPS.
NGAs and LGUs shall also set up a payment gateway for the acceptance of digital payments relative to the applications for licenses, clearances permits and authorizations for IFPs or provide alternative digital payment options through service agreements with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-regulated private or public Payment System Providers.
NGAs and LGUs shall also provide one-stop shops for IFPs, which will provide frontline services to applicants who are securing the licenses, clearness, permits, certifications or authorization for the IFPs.
The EO directs all NGAs to automate and computerize their database in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the “Data Privacy Act of 2012,” while LGUs, in coordination with the DICT, are encouraged to adopt the electronic-LGU (eLGU) system or any similar program developed and maintained by the department and ensure the interoperability of their respective Information and Communications Technology platforms for the expedited processing of licenses, clearances, permits, certifications and/or authorizations for IFPs.
The NEDA Board Committee on Infrastructure shall serve as the Steering Committee tasked to provide policy direction for effective implementation of the EO.
The Steering Committee shall, within 30 working days from the effectivity of the EO, shall coordinate with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other relevant agencies and come up with necessary guidelines to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the EO including, among the establishment of a mechanism to track and report the compliance of NGAs and LGUs, and encourage NGAs and LGUs to prioritize and facilitate the review and approval of licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorization for the NEDA-approved IFPs.
The EO takes effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general circulation.
