House passes anti-red tape bill

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives passed yesterday the measure granting President Duterte special powers to be able to speed up issuance of government licenses and permits as the nation continues to face the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plenary convened as committee of the whole and approved House Bill No. 7884, or the proposed “Act Authorizing the President to Expedite the Processing and Issuance of National and Local Permits, Licenses and Certifications,” on second and third reading on the same day.

Duterte certified the measure as urgent, allowing both chambers of Congress to expedite the approval of the bill and do away with the rule requiring three-day interval between the second and third readings.

HB 7884 is the same version of the bill passed on final reading by the Senate earlier this week, which means there is no need for a bicameral conference committee before the measure is submitted to the President for signature.

The bill was authored by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and Majority Leader Martin Romualdez.

“The President is tired of continued corruption. He wants a legacy that genuine reforms are implemented under his term. He stressed that any delay in the release of business permits is tantamount to corruption,” Romualdez explained in a statement.

The measure seeks to speed up issuance of government licenses and permits, which is seen to also help fast-track the country’s socioeconomic recovery and ensure effective government response to the ongoing health crisis.

It covers all agencies under the executive branch, including departments, bureaus, offices, commissions, boards, councils, government instrumentalities and government-owned and controlled corporations.

Section 2 of the measure specifically grants the President the authority to suspend the requirements for national and local permits, licenses and certifications, as well as to streamline and expedite the process of issuance.

It allows the Chief Executive to fix or shorten the periods for the processing and release of these documents.

The same provision, however, clarifies that the proposed law should not be used to “undermine the existing procedures and processes, under applicable laws, rules and regulations, meant to protect the environment, especially those that aim to safeguard protected areas and its buffer zones and environmentally critical areas.”

Section 3 of the measure, meanwhile, said the President can suspend or remove any government official or employee performing acts contrary to the proposed law consistent with Article VII Sections 1 and 17 of the Constitution, the Revised Administrative Code and other related laws.