Senate energy committee vice chairman Sherwin Gatchalian is calling on the Department of Energy (DOE) to concentrate on power generation projects as it implements the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) system. In a statement, Gatchalian said that a steady electricity supply is essential prior to expanding the system’s focus to other sectors.
“Let us focus first on generation projects because sufficient electricity supply is important. We need to perfect that first before expanding into the other sectors,” Gatchalian said. He acknowledged the complexities involved in broadening the EVOSS framework.
Since its inception in 2019, the government has set aside P263 million to EVOSS, with an additional P36 million requested for the 2025 budget. “We need to see the full potential of EVOSS realized with this investment, so it doesn’t become a bottomless pit,” Gatchalian said.
When fully operational, EVOSS will significantly streamline the permitting process for energy projects, reduce the application processing by approximately 269 days and bring the average down to about 85 days, depending on the facility type and location.
Gatchalian also said several key agencies, including the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, have yet to integrate their processes into the EVOSS system.
The initiative, established by law in March 2019, is designed to simplify the permitting process for new power generation, transmission, and distribution projects across the country.
