Energy
Malacanang has directed national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs) to streamline the documentation and permitting process for energy projects and lump them into the energy virtual one-stop shop (EVOSS) system.
This was learned from the Department of Energy (DOE) in a statement saying that Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin has directed the NGAs and LGUs to coordinate with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to speed up the processing and approval of permits of energy projects.
Bersamin also directed ARTA to develop a model integrating the national energy blueprint into local development plans for a unified and streamlined permitting process enabling LGUs to maximize the benefits from hosting energy projects.
Bersamin similarly directed member agencies to designate a point person who would lead in instituting compliance with the EVOSS system, including the monitoring and timely submission of electronic documents.
The DOE said its Investment Promotions Office (IPO), acting as EVOSS Secretariat, has worked with various agencies in identifying roadblocks and changes to the permitting processes, including setting and tracking timeline goals and encouraging online payments.
The DOE-IPO has also been processing energy investor concerns in joint agreement with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), directing LGUs to implement a unified, streamlined and transparent permitting process with corresponding fees and lump them into the EVOSS system.
The Office of the President chairs the EVOSS steering committee with the Secretary of Energy as vice-chairperson. Its member agencies include the Departments of Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Environment and Natural Resources; the Energy Regulatory Commission, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the National Water Resources Board, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
Additional members are representatives from power generation, transmission and distribution sectors.
