Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star)
- January 18, 2020 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Department
of Energy (DOE) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) are
working together to address hurdles on implementing energy projects.
DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi met with
NCIP chairperson Allen Capuyan to discuss the issues involving delays in
securing permits for energy projects.
Cusi said this is in line with the
measures being put in place by the DOE to ensure that energy projects will
develop in time in on time in support of the country’s goals for economic and
infrastructure development.
Under Republic Act 8371 or the “The
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997,” all project developers are required to
secure from Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) and other clearances from
the indigenous communities inhabiting the area where the project will be
situated.
“It is very important that we work
on how we can promote our indigenous resources, and we hope that by forging a
stronger working relationship with the NCIP, we will be able to address the
issues causing delays in securing clearances from their office,” Cusi said.
During the meeting, Cusi emphasized
the importance of proper coordination among concerned government agencies,
project proponents and indigenous communities in the utilization and
development of natural resources.
The DOE and NCIP agreed to establish
a technical working group (TWG) for the close coordination and streamlining of
processes, such as drafting a checklist/template in evaluating energy projects.
Prior to the meeting, the DOE has
been striving to establish a more rationalized business environment for the
energy sector.
DOE has initiated the issuance of
Executive Order 30, which declares big-ticket energy projects to be of national
significance, and giving these projects a processing time of 30 days.
Cusi is also the vice-chairperson of
the Steering Committee for the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop Act or Republic Act
11234, which streamlines the permitting process of energy projects. The DOE
likewise serves as the committee’s secretariat
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