THE House of Representatives’ committee on energy has approved a bill seeking to streamline the process of securing the necessary permits for power generation projects through an Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (eVOSS).
The substitute bill, with Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin, seeks to ensure consumer access to quality, reliable and secure electrical power at reasonable cost through measures that guarantee supply meeting demand in a timely manner.
Recognizing the role of the private sector in energy generation and distribution, the bill—once enacted—shall help power project proponents by improving the ease of doing business and bringing down steep transaction costs associated with the numerous requisites for such projects.
The bill also seeks to improve the transparency and accountability in the process of approving power projects as a means to deliver efficient and effective service to the public.
By eliminating duplication, redundancy, and overlapping mandates in the submission and processing of requirements, the bill would help ensure timely completion of energy projects.
To achieve its goal, the bill establishes the eVOSS under the supervision of the Department of Energy.
As envisioned, the eVOSS is an online system that allows single submission and synchronous processing or required data and information.
This portal also provides a single decision-making avenue for actions on applications for permits and certifications.
eVOSS recognizes the legal effect and validity of electronic documents submitted in relation to applications for permits and certificates for power generation, transmission, sub-transmission or distribution projects.
For convenience of project proponents, it uses an online payment system for applications, and provides a secure and accessible paperless processing system.
Its advantages include a unified permitting process, uniform templates for electronic documentary requirements, and simplified manner of compliance with mandated processing time, as well as in updating and monitoring of electronic documentary requirements.
Under the bill, an eVOSS Coordinating Council shall be created with the DoE secretary as chairman and the Department of Information and Communications Technology secretary as vice chairman.
Members will include the Secretaries of Department of Environment and Natural Resource, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Trade and Industry; the Energy Regulatory Commission chairman; National Electrification Administration administrator; Securities and Exchange Commission and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.
The Council shall also include one representative each from the generation, transmission and distribution sectors and end-users.
These representatives shall be nominated by the sector concerned and chosen by the DoE to serve for a term of three years.
The substitute bill also allocates P50 million to be taken from the current appropriations of the DoE for the initial implementation of the law.