President Marcos has ordered the streamlining of the permitting process for infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) to expedite their implementation.
Executive Order No. 59, a four-page document signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 30, underscores President Marcos’s commitment to advancing the country’s infrastructure agenda to drive economic transformation.
According to President Marcos, there are 185 IFPs approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
This prompted him to emphasize the urgent need for a more efficient process in obtaining the necessary licenses, clearances, permits, certifications, or authorizations.
“There is a need to further streamline the process for issuance of required licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorizations to expedite the implementation of IFPs, consistent with RA 9485, as amended,” President Marcos said.
EO 59 extends its purview to all national government agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, other government instrumentalities, and local government units (LGUs) involved in the issuance of permits related to IFPs.
Further, the President has mandated the simplification and streamlining of requirements for IFPs, coupled with provisions for online and/or electronic submission and acceptance, simultaneous processing of applications, digital payment of fees, and expeditious action on applications.