Published
November 20, 2016, 10:01 PM By Myrna M. Velasco
The Department of
Energy (DOE) will be asking President Rodrigo Duterte to issue an Executive
Order (EO) re-classifying energy projects to be of ‘national significance’,
hence, approval processes and permitting be streamlined.
Energy Secretary
Alfonso G. Cusi told reporters on the sidelines of the Coal Business and Policy
Forum last week that the EO shall also address the ‘overlapping’ of required
approvals, that is often complained by investors.
“There are many
projects we would like to be classified as ‘projects of national significance’.
With that, what we are trying to secure is an EO,” Cusi said.
The energy chief
divulged that his department already crafted the proposed EO that they shall
elevate to the Office of the President (OP) for final approval and signing then
the formal issuance for it to be institutionalized as a national policy.
“We already have a
draft, and I have to present it there (OP)…I have to make a presentation what
are the requirements,” he stressed.
Cusi noted that while
legislation takes longer route, the energy department is hoping that an EO
being a ‘bridge policy’ can help expedite permitting and the realization of
energy projects.
The energy chief
admitted that project implementations are being hurdled by lack of coordination
of policies and measures enforced between and among various government
agencies.
For instance, one of
the issues raised by stakeholders during the forum had been on the ‘approval
overlap’ being prescribed for coal-fired power projects.
The DOE noted the EO
intends to prescribe that such shall be fully placed under the domain of the
DOE – except the facets that cover the compliance to environmental standards of
such projects.
He added it is not only
the policy and regulatory overlaps with the DENR that the EO shall be
addressing, but even the more critical concerns that power plant ventures and
other energy projects have with local government units.
The department,
according to the energy secretary, will set the criteria as to which projects
shall eventually be qualified to be of ‘national significance’. (MMV)
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