Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 12) — Senators approved on second reading a bill granting President Rodrigo Duterte the authority to fast-track the processing of permits and licenses during national emergencies.
At the plenary session on Monday, senators also asked the Palace to certify as urgent the measure which also seeks to minimize red tape and make doing business in the country easier. This would allow the bill to proceed to its third reading within the week before Congress starts its break on Oct. 16.
“This is a good accompanying measure to the ease of doing business….I believe with this, the President will be emboldened to remove more people from their ineptitude and incompetence in government service,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, one of the authors of the bill, said during the session.
Senate Bill 1844 authorizes the President to expedite the processing and issuance of national and local permits, licenses, and certifications in times of national emergency.
It would also allow the president to fast-track all regulatory processes, processing of pending applications for permits, licenses, clearances, certifications, or authorizations, which may include setting a fix or shortened period provided under existing laws.
He would also be given the power to suspend or remove any government official or personnel deemed violating this effort, as determined by a competent body.
The bill covers all government agencies, and government-owned and -controlled corporations.
