OeT 15 2020

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No, 7882

INTRODUCED BY

PROSPERO A. PICHAY AND JULIENNE “JAM” L. BARONDA.

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESSING AND
ISSUANCE OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL PERMITS, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the World Bank's 2020 Doing Business Report, Philippines jumped 29 notches,
ranking 95'* from 124" last year. The Philippines got an Ease of Doing Business score of 62.8
in the 2020 report, an improvement over its grade in the previous year of 57.68. Based on the
report, the Philippines improved on three areas: starting a business, dealing with construction
permits, and protecting minority investors. Although it was a big leap from the previous year’s
the Philippines is still last in the ranking among the founding members of Southeast Asian
Nations.

According to some reports in 2019, the Philippines is a top foreign investment
destination largely attributable to its continuing digital transformation and combined
information and communications technology (ICT) and infrastructure efforts. Furthermore,
based on an article published by the Philippines News Agency on December 30, 2019,
Philippine economy is still among Asia's fastest amid easing inflation. The Philippine gross
domestic product (GDP) accelerated by 6.2 percent in third quarter, making it the second
fastest-growing major economy after Vietnam, and ahead of China, India, Malaysia,
Indonesia, and Thailand.

Moreover, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Department of Finance,
the Philippines entered 2020 with strong growth prospects due to the conservative and
responsible fiscal management and tax reform measures, just to name a few factors. The
Philippines is even said to be among the fastest growing economies, with a revenue of 16.1%
of gross domestic product (GDP), which is the country's highest since 1997.

However, the economic landscape of the Philippines has drastically changed by reason
of the pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 to the different sectors of our society are all


unprecedented. The Philippine economy is forecast to contract by 7.3% in 2020 amid the
COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Asian Development Bank. While this has been has
emerged as among Asia’s strongest currencies owing to the country’s mild inflation rate.

Uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, although have been lessened, still
exist. Measures to cushion its effect to our people and our economy have already been made.
However, there are still a lot to be accomplished in order to rebuild the economy and defeat
COVID-19 altogether.

Thus, this bill seeks to authorize the President, during the time of national emergency,
to suspend the requirements for national and local permits, licenses and certifications, and
to streamline and expedite the process for the issuance of the same. While this may be a small
step, it surely can create a significant impact on all enterprises. Likewise, this move could ease
the already heavy burden of the businesses that were heavily hit and continuously being
beaten by the gargantuan effects of the pandemic. This Act could be one of the needed
breathers of the crumbling enterprises. And ultimately, this will redound to the benefit of our
economy and encourage investors to capitalize in the country.

The COVID-19 virus is spreading fast, so our action must likewise be swift. Therefore,
the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

Jul L. BARONDA
Lon¥ District, lloilo city



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. _7882

INTRODUCED BY

PROSPERO A. PICHAY AND JULIENNE “JAM” L. BARONDA

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESSING AND
ISSUANCE OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL PERMITS, LICENSES AND
CERTIFICATIONS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Coverage. This act shall cover all agencies of the executive branch, including
departments, bureaus, offices, commissions, boards, councils; government instrumentalities,
government owned and controlled corporations such as but not limited to the following
Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Customs (BOC),
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Water Resources Board
(NWRB), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Land Management Bureau; Department
of Justice (DOJ), Land Registration Authority (LRA), Bureau of Immigration (BI); Department
of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB),
Land Transportation Office (LTO), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP),
Philippines Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA); Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP);
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP);
Department of Health (DOH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Department of
Information and Communication Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications
Commission (NTC); Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR); Department of Energy (DOE); Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC);
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); Department of Human Settlements and Urban
Development (DHSUD), Home Mutual Development Fund (HDMF/PAGIBIG), Human

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Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC); Social Security System (SSS); Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS); and local government ut

SEC. 2. Authority of the President to Suspend the Requirements for National and Local
Permits, Licenses and Certifications, and to Streamline and Expedite the Process for the
Issuance thereof. — Notwithstanding any law, decree, order or ordinance to the contrary, the
President, in times of national emergency shall have the authority to:

{a) accelerate and streamline regulatory processes and procedures for new and
pending applications for permits, licensees, clearances, certifications or
authorizations, including fixing or shortening the periods provided for under
existing laws, regulations, issuances, and ordinances;

(b) suspend or waive the requirements in securing such permits, licenses, clearances,
certifications or authorizations.

SEC. 3. Power to Suspend or Remove - Consistent with Article VIl Sections 1 and 17 of

the Constitutions, the Revised Administrative Code, other existing laws, and jurisprudence,
the President shall have the authority to suspend or remove, upon the determination of a
competent body, any government official or employee performing acts contrary to the
preceding section.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid,
the provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, ordinances, rules and
regulationsinconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC 6. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette and
in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,