Duterte orders agencies to speed up review, approval process for water infrastructure projects

President Rodrigo Duterte has directed government agencies to prioritize the review and approval of flagship infrastructure projects on water security.

Under Administrative Order (AO) 32 issued on Wednesday, agencies must complete the review and approval processes “strictly within the processing time and deadlines established by law.”

Applications for licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorizations with complete requirements shall be deemed approved if a government agency fails to take action within the prescribed processing time.

Duterte tasked the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to monitor and evaluate the compliance of agencies.

He also ordered ARTA to submit a recommendation to the Office of the President regarding the repeal of outdated, redundant and unnecessary licenses, permits, certifications or authorizations being required by agencies and local government units in relation to flagship infrastructure projects on water security.

“Agency processes and procedures have routinely and excessively delayed infrastructure flagship projects on water security resulting in increased costs and hampering the delivery of clean, stable, adequate and affordable water to the detriment of the Filipino people,” the AO stated.

"There is a need for the national government to pursue institutional reforms such as streamlining processes of concerned agencies to encourage and guide investments in water supply, sewerage and sanitation, and expedite the approval and processing of infrastructure flagship projects on water security, while respecting property rights and protecting public safety and the environment.”

According to Duterte, “persistent low water levels” in existing reservoirs especially those servicing Metro Manila, along with increasing demand and competing use over limited supply called for the development of new water resources and acceleration of water infrastructure development.

Metro Manila and Rizal suffered a water crisis in March last year, which caught the ire of the President.— Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News