Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to zero in on developing energy-generation projects in implementing the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) system to help ensure steady supply and reduce electricity costs.
“Let us focus first on generation projects because sufficient electricity supply is important. We need to perfect that first before expanding into the other sectors. The aspiration is that the system should process applications. But admittedly, it is complicated as you expand,” Gatchalian told energy officials at a recent Senate hearing on the proposed 2025 budget of the department and its attached agencies.
The vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Gatchalian noted that a total of 263 million has already been allocated for EVOSS since 2019 with an additional P36 million requested budget for 2025.
“We have allocated a sizable amount already for EVOSS over the years and we need to see its full potential being realized with that amount, so that it will not be a bottomless pit, so to speak,” the senator said.
Once fully implemented, the EVOSS system reduces processing time by around 269 days, bringing average processing time to only 85 days depending on the location and type of generation facility. Agencies that are yet to incorporate their processes into the system include the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, and the National Water Regulatory Board.
Signed into law in March 2019, Republic Act 11234, which created the EVOSS system, aims to streamline the permitting process for developing energy projects in the country. The EVOSS system applies to all new power generation, transmission, or distribution projects in the country and should integrate permits required by various line agencies and local government units.
By optimizing the energy sector’s processes, EVOSS can speed up project approvals, increase competition, improve transparency, and ultimately enhance efficiency.
According to Gatchalian, the President’s recent directive for DOE to expedite the integration of all applications and permitting processes for energy projects through EVOSS should compel agencies under the executive department to do their part in the integration process.
“That sends a signal to other departments to take energy projects seriously and join the system, as that is the design of EVOSS,” he added.
