Marcos Urges DOE to Speed Up Energy Project Permitting

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to expedite the integration and permitting processes for energy projects through the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS).

Speaking during a sectoral meeting on Tuesday, Marcos emphasized the need for simultaneous processing of applications within EVOSS to speed up the development of energy-related projects.

“Well, you continue to work on the processing, the change in the processing… permitting process. So, we try to get as close as possible to the simultaneous processing,” Marcos said.

While acknowledging that perfect synchronization might be difficult, the president urged the DOE to make the process as efficient as possible.

“As we discussed earlier, we never get it in that straight line that you have. But at least we’ll push it as far as we can,” he added.

DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla welcomed the president’s suggestion and expressed confidence in the department’s ability to implement the changes.

Marcos also instructed the DOE to inform government agencies about forthcoming endorsements in advance, allowing them to begin processing permits even before the official recommendation is issued.

The integration of applications into the EVOSS platform is seen as a crucial step in addressing long-standing concerns about the complex and lengthy permitting process for energy projects in the country.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) noted that the numerous permits and clearances required have deterred investors from pursuing energy ventures in the Philippines.

The EVOSS Act, which was designed to address these challenges, provides an online platform for the submission of documentary requirements and payment of fees related to energy projects.

The government aims to fully integrate all energy-related processes into the EVOSS system by June 2028, although the system’s operationalization depends on the readiness of the agencies involved.