SUMMARY
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte now has the power to fast-track the issuance of government permits and licenses and even waive certain requirements for them during times of national crises after signing a new law.
Duterte signed into law Republic Act No 11517 on December 23. The signed law was sent to media on Tuesday, January 5.
The law’s formal title is “An Act Authorizing the President to Expedite the Processing and Issuance of National and Local Permits, Licenses, and Certifications in times of National Emergency.”
The new law is intended by lawmakers to make life easier for business owners and ordinary citizens when applying for government documents like business permits, licenses, and certifications, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic which has crippled the economy and disrupted lives.
What can Duterte now do?
Duterte, and all Philippine presidents after him, can now “accelerate and streamline regulatory processes and procedures for new and pending applications and renewals” of permits, licenses, and certifications, according to Section 2 of the measure.
One way he is allowed to do this is by shortening the periods government agencies are supposed to take to process a document after someone applies for it.
The President also now has the power to “suspend or waive” requirements for such permits and licenses.
The Chief Executive can even decide to make these shortened processes and time periods permanent after consulting or getting the recommendation of relevant government agencies.
Duterte’s new anti-red tape powers cover only government entities under the executive branch – departments, bureaus, councils, commissions, government-owned and controlled corporations, and local governments.
The law does not provide a definition of “times of national emergency.”
It states, however, that the new presidential powers “shall not be used to undermine” procedures and processes stipulated in other laws that are “meant to protect the environment.” – Rappler.com
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