Government agencies and local government units are waiving their fees for the permits and other documents required for the construction of infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs).
This is in accordance with Executive Order 59, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in April 30, which aims to streamline the processing of permits and ensure timely completion of IFPs.
“There are those agencies that have already informed us that they will be waiving the imposition of their fees and charges to encourage investors to come in,” Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director-General Ernesto V. Perez told reporters.
Permits such as building and excavation permits, certificate of occupancy for IFPs will be free of charge by certain agencies such as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
In addition, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority will also be waiving its fees, including its implementing arms: John Hay Management Corporation, Poro Point Management Corporation, and Clark Development Corporation.
The EO 59 also reduces the number of different issuing agencies for IFPs from 30 to about 12 or 18 government agencies.
On the other hand, National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary Joseph J. Capuno said said that transactions with government agencies are sequential, meaning that IFPs do not have to wait 20 days for permits, as per the Ease of Doing Business law, but can rather proceed with other agencies to transact.
“So even if there are 18 (agencies), sabi mo nang very complicated yung projects, they're allowed out to 20 days. But you can do this simultaneously,” Capuno further said.
There are about 35 to 50 IFPs under the pre-project implementation category that will be test cases for the EO 59, Capuno said, some of which are already up for approval and some for implementation.
Infra competitiveness ranking
The NEDA official said that he hopes the EO 59 will improve the country’s ranking in infrastructure despite the low ranking in the Switzerland-based Institute of Management Development (IMD) competitiveness scale.
“Well, hopefully, with the implementation of this one, full implementation of this one, we can not notch a bit higher in the next round,” he said.
The Philippines ranked 13th out of 14 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, only next to Mongolia; while it ranked 61st out of 67 countries in terms of infrastructure.