Duterte signs Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop bill into law

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the law that would streamline the permitting process of power generation, transmission, and distribution projects in the Philippines.

Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) 11234 or the “Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act” on March 8, a copy of which was released to the media only on Thursday.

The new law mandated the creation of an online platform, EVOSS, which would facilitate the paperless applications for permits for new power generation, transmission, or distribution project.

The portal could also be used to submit all documentary requirements and even pay fees.

The new law mandates the EVOSS to provide “a secure and accessible system for all government bureaus, offices, agencies, GOCCs, LGUs, and other entities involved in the permitting process of power generation, transmission, or distribution projects.”

Under the law, the EVOSS would be supervised and managed by the Department of Energy while its operations would be determined and monitored by the EVOSS Steering Committee.

The law gives all government agencies a strict timeframe to act on the pending application.

“Failure of the mother agency and its attached bureaus, offices, and agencies, at both the national and local levels, including GOCCs, to release its action on applications duly filed with complete supporting documents within the prescribed timeframe shall deem such applications approved,” the law stated. /ee