Duterte forms body to manage streamlining of energy project processes

FILE PHOTO: President Rodrigo Duterte. RICHARD MADELO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has formed a task group to oversee the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) which streamlines the processing of energy project applications.

The President created the task group through Executive Order No. 143 signed on July 2, but only made public on Tuesday.

The task group will be responsible for the implementation of Republic Act 11234 or the EVOSS Act signed by Duterte in March 2019.

The EVOSS task group (ETG) will be chaired by the Office of the President, with the Energy Secretary as vice-chairperson.

Members of the ETG include the secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Environment and Natural Resources, the Interior and Local Government, and Information and Communications Technology, among others.

Representatives from other government agencies, local government units, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and private entities may be invited by the ETG provided their involvement in the process of energy projects is “necessary” for the EO’s implementation.

Apart from streamlining processes of energy project applications, the ETG was tasked to ensure the operationalization of the EVOSS, including the interoperability of existing systems with the platform and the establishment of an online system.

The ETG and the Anti-Red Tape Authority shall assist each other in streamlining processes related to energy projects, the EO notes.

Further, it says, the task group must submit to the Office of the President an annual report on the implementation of the EVOSS.

KGA