Duterte signs EO creating energy virtual one-stop shop task group

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday signed an executive order creating the energy virtual one-stop-shop task group to ensure the streamlining of the permitting process for energy-related projects.

Under EO No. 143, the ETG will be chaired by the Office of the President, while the Energy Secretary will be the vice-chairperson.

The ETG will exercise the following functions:

• streamline the process and requirements of the government agencies, instrumentalities, local government units, government-owned or controlled corporations and private entities involved in energy projects;
• ensure the increasing operationalization of the EVOSS, including the integration of the process flow of agencies or entities in the EVOSS, interoperability of their existing systems with the EVOSS, and establishment of the online payment system;
• ensure compliance with the time frames under Republic Act No. (RA) 11234 or the EVOSS Act, and continually review the permitting and licensing processes for energy projects to increase efficiency and reduce processing times;
• ensure compliance with the provisions of RA 11234 relative to the “deemed approve” status of completed applications that were not acted upon by the concerned bureaus, offices and agencies;
• monitor and access the performance of the EVOSS; and
• promulgate guidelines and rules necessary for the effective implementation of this Order.

The task force will be composed of the secretaries of Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and the Local Government, Information and Communications Technology; chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; executive director of the National Water Resources Board; president of Market Operator; president of System Operator and Transmission Network Provider; and designated representatives from the power generation, transmission and distribution sectors nominated by the sector concerned and chosen by the Secretary of Energy.

Under the EO, all other government agencies and instrumentalities, including GOCCs, are directed to render the necessary assistance to the ETG, including participation in the meetings, deliberations and/or proceedings.

The ETG and the Anti-Red Tape Authority will assist each other in the fulfillment of their respective mandates, with due regard to RA 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act). — DVM, GMA News