House leaders filed a bill on Thursday that grants President Duterte “anti-red tape powers” in times of national emergencies.
On Wednesday, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and Majority Leader Martin Romualdez led the filing of House Bill 7884, or “An Act Authorizing the President to Expedite the Processing and Issuance of National and Local Permits, Licenses, and Certifications,” to accelerate the country’s socioeconomic recovery and ensure an effective government response to the present health crisis.
Romualdez said as soon as the House receives the letter of certification from Malacañang, lawmakers will immediately approve the bill at the plenary.
The Senate version of the bill has already been certified as urgent by the President.
The bill gives President Duterte the authority to suspend the requirements for national and local permits, licenses and certifications, and to streamline and expedite the process of issuance.
The bill covers all agencies of the Executive branch, including departments, bureaus, offices, commissions, boards, councils; government instrumentalities, government-owned and -controlled corporations.
The President, under the measure, shall have the authority to accelerate and streamline regulatory processes and procedures for new and pending applications and renewals of permits, licenses, clearances, certifications or authorizations.
The proposed law also empowers the President to fix or shorten the periods for the processing and release of these documents.
The bill also grants the President the power to suspend or waive the requirements in securing such permits, licenses, clearances, certifications, or authorizations.