The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the recently signed Executive Order (EO) No. 59 will modernize and prevent delays in the implementation of the country’s infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs).
NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said that the EO would support the goals of the Philippines’ medium-term goal by expanding and upgrading the country’s infrastructure sector as part of the government’s efforts toward social and economic transformation.
"By streamlining the processing of IFPs, we are making it easier for implementing agencies and more attractive for our partners in the private sector to execute transformative infrastructure projects that would spur job creation for our people and enable us to sustain our economy’s rapid expansion,” Balisacan stated.
“The primary goal of this EO is to minimize, if not eliminate, delays in the implementation of IFPs. We are in a hurry to catch up with our neighbors in the region so the government must enable—not hinder—the timely completion of these projects,” he further said.
EO 59 aims to simplify the requirements for the NEDA Board-approved list of IFPs and will direct national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs) to review their Citizen’s Charters to eliminate redundant procedures.
It will also implement electronic application submissions to concerned agencies and LGUs, including streamlined payment processes and issuance of receipts.
In addition, the order mandates NGAs to automate and computerize their databases, which will promote data sharing among government entities and eliminate unnecessary document duplication.
LGUs are also mandated to establish business one-stop shops to simplify interactions for investors and are encouraged to collaborate with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to adopt interoperable ICT platforms.
The EO covers all NGAs, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and other government instrumentalities and will apply to LGUs involved in the issuance of licenses, clearances, permits, certifications, and authorizations that are required for projects included in the NEDA Board-approved list of IFPs.
“With this EO in place, the Marcos Administration signifies its commitment to aggressively advance infrastructure development as a key driver to our social and economic transformation," the NEDA chief stated.
Currently, there are 185 IFPs in the pipeline with a total amount of P9.14 trillion.