Flagship projects permitting process fast-tracked Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
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THE WORLD | A14
US REASSERTS DEFENSE COMMITMENT TO PHL AMID ESCALATING SOUTH CHINA SEA TENSIONS
HE infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) permitting process will now only go through 18 issuing agencies, reduced from 30 agencies, approved within 20 working days with all applications processed simultaneously to speed up the country’s infrastructure drive. Under Executive Order (EO) No. 59 on “Streamlining the Permitting Process for Infrastructure Flagship Projects” effective on May 5, 2024, applicants may submit their applications to 18 national government agencies and
local government units (LGUs) simultaneously instead of waiting for the approval of one agency to proceed to the next one. “It doesn’t have to be sequentially so you can get it much faster now. If they fail to approve [the permits] within 20 days, that is deemed approved,” Socioeconomic and Planning Undersecretary Joseph J. Capuno told reporters on Tuesday at the sidelines of the EO 59 launch and ceremonial signing. EO 59 aims to eliminate the unnecessary delays in the issuance of licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorizations to ensure the timely completion of IFPs. The guidelines in EO 59
apply to national government agencies, state-run corporations, other government instrumentalities and local government units issuing such documents. Moreover, no other permit or clearance shall be required in the construction, installation, repair, operation and maintenance for IFPs except for Environmental Compliance Certificate/Certificate of Non-Coverage from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy from the concerned building official, Excavation Permit from the concerned LGU, National Commission for Culture and Arts
(NCCA), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). Despite hastening the approval process of permits, which before took years, Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) Director General Ernesto V. Perez assured the public that approvals of the projects won’t be railroaded as Arta is mandated to conduct regulatory review. “Before, LGUs and other government agencies could implement regulations and ordinances. Any See “Flagship,” A
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IMD REPORT FLAGS PHL RISKS IN PRICES, FOOD By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
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HILE the Philippines’s overall ranking in the 2024 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking did not change, the annual report cited high prices of goods and food security as some of the challenges to watch out for this year. Based on the 2024 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, the Philippines ranked 52nd out of the 67 economies surveyed. The country’s ranking did not change, compared to last year’s. However, the annual report of IMD outlined the challenges that may hound the country this year, particularly on keeping prices
affordable, improving the education system, reducing climate c h a nge v u l nerabi l it y, a mong others. The IMD report also noted that the country may have a hard time resolving its territorial rights to the West Philippine Sea “diplomatically See “IMD,” A
SAN MIGUEL LANDS IN TOP 10 OF FORTUNE SOUTHEAST ASIA MAIDEN LIST OF 500 FIRMS
MEATING THE CHALLENGE A bustling market scene in Cainta, Rizal, with meat
vendors engaging with customers, highlights the local economy's vibrancy amid challenges cited in the 2024 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking. The Philippines, ranked 52nd out of 67 economies, faces significant issues such as high prices of goods, food security, and infrastructure development. Despite improvements in government efficiency, climbing from 52nd to 49th, and maintaining its economic performance ranking at 40th, the country still struggles with business efficiency and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global landscape. BERNARD TESTA
How to lift up IMD ranking? Govt cites planned reforms
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By VG Cabuag @Villygc
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ONGLOMERATE San M i g u e l C o r p. w a s among the top 10 of the maiden Fortune Southeast Asia 500, which ranks companies according to the size of their revenues. “Southeast Asian economies are benefiting from supply chain diversification as rapid domestic development
builds the next wave of global middle class consumers. Our new ranking reflects the rise and fall of energy markets, multinational supply chains, and tourism in some of the world’s most dynamic economies,” the publication said. San Miguel was ranked ninth in the Fortune’s list, w it h re venues of $26.02 billion. See “San Miguel,” A
S the Philippines maintained its rank in the International Institute for Management’s (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking for 2024, the government banks on the implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 59 on “Streamlining the Permitting Process for Infrastructure Flagship Projects” to improve its spot for next year. Socioeconomic and Planning Undersecretary Joseph J. Capuno told reporters that the implementation of the guidelines of Executive Order (EO) No. 59 on “Streamlining the Permitting Process for Infrastructure Flagship Projects” would propel the country’s low rank in competitiveness.
The Philippines retained its 52nd ranking of most competitive economy, unchanged for five consecutive years, among 67 countries. The country was least competitive in the areas of business legislation (60th), basic infrastructure (62nd) and education (63rd) but ranked high in terms of employment (10th), tax policy (15th) and domestic economy (27th). With infrastructure identified as one of the main challenges for the Philippines, Capuno said, “Hopefully, with the implementation of EO 59, we can notch a bit higher in the next round.” See “Ranking,” A
PESO EXCHANGE RATES Q US 58.6300 Q JAPAN 0.3717 Q UK 74.4894 Q HK 7.5069 Q CHINA 8.0800 Q SINGAPORE 43.3718 Q AUSTRALIA 38.7544 Q EU 62.9334 Q KOREA 0.0425 Q SAUDI ARABIA 15.6264 Source:
BSP 18 June 2024