Duterte signs law streamlining bureaucratic processes

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure authorizing him to accelerate and streamline regulatory processes and procedures for new and pending applications and renewals of local and national permits, licenses, clearances, authorizations and certifications in times of national emergency.

Republic Act No. 11517, a copy of which was released by Malacañang on Tuesday, allows the President to fix or shorten the periods provided for the processing and issuance provided under existing laws, regulations and ordinances.

The President may also waive or suspend the requirements in securing the documents.

On the recommendation of concerned government agencies, the President may also make permanent the streamlining of the regulatory processes and procedures, and the suspension or waiver of the requirements.

The law states that the authority granted to the President may not be used to undermine existing laws, rules and regulations meant to protect the environment, especially those aimed to safeguard protected areas and its buffer zones, and environmentally critical areas.

Government officials and employees who do so may be suspended or terminated from service by the President.