Marcos hails enablers of ease of doing business

In his speech, Marcos said EO 18 allows investors to process all the necessary permits and licenses to put up their business in the Philippines in just about 12 days. (PCO file photo)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday hailed national government agencies (NGAs) and officials from local government units (LGUs) for their support and contributions to the government’s thrust for ease of doing business.

Marcos led the awarding rites for the One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments, dubbed “Gawad Bayanihan sa Pamumuhunan: Making It Happen with a Whole-of-Nation Strategy,” in Malacañang.

Spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry – Board of Investments (DTI-BOI), the event recognizes government partners for the successful implementation of Marcos’ Executive Order (EO) No. 18, which mandated the creation of “green lanes” that serve as the government-wide response to expedite business application.

In his speech, Marcos said EO 18 allows investors to process all the necessary permits and licenses to put up their business in the Philippines in just about 12 days.

“The goal is simple: less red tape, more action, more results, more success, more quickly. We want investments to come in, projects to break ground faster, [and] jobs to reach our people sooner,” he said.

“Because when businesses move quickly, progress follows just as fast.”

The President said the One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments compelled agencies to “move with speed, with precision, and certainty, furthering the overall ease of doing business in the country.”

Just last month, the government certified 187 strategic investments across key sectors, including renewable energy, digital infrastructure, food security, and manufacturing, amounting to a total investment value of over PHP4.6 trillion, Marcos said.

He then congratulated the awardees for their roles in advancing green lanes.

“You have shown us that when public service is anchored on integrity, efficiency, and accountability, we can really see progress,” Marcos said.

According to the BOI, awardees were chosen based on their proactive roles in facilitating investments and overcoming challenges faced by developers, with selection criteria including the establishment of Green Lane focal points, responsiveness and timeliness, action, resolution, and client feedback, among others.

The following NGAs were recognized, with their representative receiving the award:

–Department of Information and Communications (DICT) Undersecretary David Almirol Jr.
–Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) Assistant Manager Catherine Buena
–Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Director Jacqueline Caancan
–Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Monalisa Dimalanta
–Forest Management Bureau (FMB) Assistant Director Atty. Ray Thomas Kabigting -Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Loyzaga
–Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr.
–Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio
–National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Deputy Administrator Engr. Josephine Salazar
–Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) Executive Director Ma. Cynthia Hernandez
–Department of Energy (DOE) OIC Chief Investments Specialist Liza Pangilinan
–National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las.

Local government awardees include: Northern Samar Governor Edwin Marino Co Ongchuan, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, Cavite Governor Athena Bryana Delgado, llocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos, Laguna Provincial Administrator lawyer Dulce Rebanal, and General Trias Mayor Luis Ferrer IV.