QUEZON CITY -- Recognizing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call to ensure energy security, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) held a hybrid coordination meeting with the stakeholders in the energy sector on 28 February 2024 at the ARTA Central Office to mull over policies and regulations that would further expedite the full establishment of renewable energy in the Philippines.

ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez, together with the ARTA Better Regulations Office (BRO), discussed the in-depth background of the energy sector, current challenges, and ongoing initiatives of government agencies with the energy stakeholders to fast-track the permitting processes and promote ease of doing business in the energy industry.

“The energy sector is one of our President’s priorities in his administration’s socio-economic agenda,” Secretary Perez said. “That is why we need to coordinate through this meeting, to streamline and fast-track the energy sector’s permitting and licensing process and attract more investors in the country.”

Physically present at the meeting were the President of the Developers of Renewable Energy for AdvanceMent (DREAM) Atty. Jay Layug, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) Dr. Vallerie Ann I. Samson, DOST-PNRI Chief Science Research Specialist Dr. Preciosa Corazon B. Pabroa, Executive Director for Investment Assistance Center of the Board of Investments (BOI) Atty. Bobby G. Fondevilla, BOI Director for Investment Assistance Service Dir. Ernesto C. Delos Reyes Jr., BOI Supervising Investments Specialist Mr. Lubin R. De Vera Jr., National Electrification Administration (NEA) Supervising Internal Control Officer Engr. Estanislao Laxa, and NEA Project Officer Engr. James Panado.

Joined in the meeting online are representatives from the Department of Energy-Energy Utilization Management Bureau (DOE-EUMB), DOE-Renewable Energy Management Bureau (DOE-REMB), National Power Corporation (NPC), Department of Finance (DoF), Aboitiz Power Corporation, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Energy Development Corporation (EDC), Global Business Power Corporation (GBP), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), San Miguel Global Power (SMGP), Meralco Industrial Engineering Services Corporation (MIESCOR), and Kepco KPS Carabao Corp.

Sealing off the coordination meeting, Secretary Perez suggested drafting a Joint Memorandum Circular or possibly an Executive Order that would help expedite the permitting process and requested to hear the recommendations of the DOE-REMB, BOI, and DREAM to further address the presented challenges in the sector in the next scheduled meeting in March.

“With a whole-of-nation approach, we will continue coordinating with both the public and the private sector stakeholders to ensure energy security nationwide,” Secretary Perez said. “This transformative collaboration that we are doing in the energy sector aligns perfectly with our vision under our Bagong Pilipinas banner,” Secretary Perez added. (ARTA)