.J,.i! >’ n
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL U P4 :16
SENATE
S. No. 589
RECEIVl .-V (7
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING GREEN LANES FOR PURPOSES OF STREAMLINING THE 
PERMITTING AND LICENSING PROCESS OF STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 2023 World Competitiveness Ranking published by the International 
Management and Development (IMD) reflects that the Philippines dropped from 48th 
place in 2022 to 52nd for overall rank out of 63 economies and lagging behind other 
ASEAN members. The Philippines likewise ranks 115th out of 180 countries under the 
Corruption Perceptions Index in 2023 scoring only 34 against the global average of 
43/100. Whereas the World Bank 2020 report on Ease of Doing Business indicates 
that the country now ranked 95th from 165th in 2021, but still far behind neighboring 
states.
While such is the case, the economic managers are optimistic that the foregoing 
will very soon recover in light of the carefully laid out plans and aggressive measures 
being taken and complemented by the outpouring Total Approved Investments 
received in 2024. The challenge now is to ensure that these investment pledges are 
translated into actual investments, unhampered by bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Out of the administration's comprehensive 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, at 
least five (5) directly relates to improving the economic climate in order to attract 
more foreign investments, sustain economic growth and ultimately accomplish the 
medium-term goals of the administration. One of the outcomes to be pursued under


the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 is to attain increased and targeted total 
investments to boost trade, skills upgrading, and sustainability.
Specifically, this will be achieved by promoting Strategic Investment Priority 
Plan (SIPP) through sector-focused and company-specific promotion in target 
markets, developing unique locational assets especially in the rural areas and 
positioning the Philippines as a prime destination of foreign investments against 
climate change or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments.
This bill aims to institutionalize Executive Order No. 18 also known as "An Order 
Constituting Green Lanes for Strategic Investments", establishing a One-Stop-Action- 
Center for Strategic Investments (OSAC-SI), which serves as the single point of entry 
for all projects qualified as Strategic Investments. Under this initiative, concerned 
national government agencies, including regional and provincial offices, local 
government units, and quasi-judicial bodies shall designate a "Green Lane" to expedite 
and streamline the processes and requirements for the issuance of permits and 
licenses of Strategic Investments endorsed by the OSAC-SI.
The said Green Lane is integrated with and not duplicative of the existing one- 
stop shops or one-stop centers established under existing laws.
Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARKA. VILLAR ^


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! 
•I’ Of I
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL 14 P4 :16
SENATE
S. No. 589
RECEIVt. ov
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING GREEN LANES FOR PURPOSES OF STREAMLINING THE 
PERMITTING AND LICENSING PROCESS OF STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Green Lane for Strategic 
Investments Act'.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
promote and facilitate investments in the country, particularly Strategic Investments, 
which are aligned with the existing Philippine Development Plan that will improve the 
country's infrastructure capabilities and characterized as projects with significant 
capital or investment, have consequential economic and positive environmental 
impact, with complex technical processes and engineering designs, and provides 
significant contribution to the balance of payments of the country.
Sec. 3. Application. -This Act shall apply to all national government agencies 
(NGAs), government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and instrumentalities, 
including Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and local 
government units (LGUs) involved in the issuance of permits, licenses, certifications 
or authorizations, and private entities imbued with public interest issuing permits 
and/or licenses.
Sec. 4. Strategic Investments. — Strategic Investments shall include, but not 
limited to the following:


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i. Highly Desirable Projects - Investment Projects recommended by the Fiscal
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Incentives Review Board (FIRB) to the President for modification of
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incentives or the crafting of the appropriate financial support package based
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on defined development strategies for creating high-value jobs, building
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new industries to diversify economic activities, and attracting significant
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foreign and domestic capital or investment, and the fiscal requirements of
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the activity or project, as provided under Section 301 of the National Internal
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Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended by Republic Act No. 11534 or
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the "Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act."
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ii. Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) - Foreign Direct Investments are those
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resulting from the implementation of the Foreign Investment Promotion and
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Marketing Plan, as endorsed by the Inter-Agency Investment Promotion
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Coordination Committee.
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iii. Projects or activities under the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) -
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Local or foreign investments on activities considered projects of national
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significance or highly desirable, and which falls under the priority sectors or
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industries included in the SIPP formulated by the Department of Trade and
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Industry-Board of Investments (DTI-BOI) and approved by the President in
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accordance with Section 300 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended by R.A. No.
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11534. These projects cover registrations under the DTI-BOI or other
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Investment Promotion Agencies.
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Pursuant to existing BOI issuances and subject to the condition that the projects
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are promote innovation within the context of the 4th industrial revolution, the
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following are the approved and confirmed activities under the Strategic Investments
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Priority Plan:
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a) Clean Energy Sources such as renewable energy, hydrogen, nuclear,
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including energy storage;
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b) Green Metals such as mining and mineral processing;
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c) Electronics;
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d) Defense-related Projects;
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e) Aerospace;


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f) Electric vehicles manufacturing and/or assembly including charging
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stations and batteries;
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g) Pharmaceuticals including vaccines and essential drugs and medicines
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included in the Philippine National Drug Formulary (PNDF);
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h) LNG storage and regasification;
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i) Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and infrastructure Projects including agri-
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infra and telecommunications infrastructure
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j) Specialty hospitals such as centers for cancer, heart, lungs, kidneys, etc.
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k) Water treatment, supply and distribution
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I) New products and new technologies
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The said list shall be subject to change which the BOI Board may deem
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appropriate.
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Projects or activities that do not qualify as Strategic Investment may be
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facilitated through the existing facilitation services provided by the BOI - Investments
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Assistance Service (IAS).
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Sec. 5. Green Lane Technical Working Group (TWG). -There shall be a Green
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Lane TWG which shall be composed of the following member-agencies:
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Chairperson 
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Managing Head, DTI-BOI, who shall have the rank
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of an Undersecretary
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Members 
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Undersecretary, DTI;
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Undersecretary, DILG;
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Undersecretary, Department of Finance (DOF);
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Undersecretary, National Economic and
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Development Authority (NEDA)
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Undersecretary, ARTA (Anti-Red Tape Authority)
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Representative from the Office of the Special
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Assistant to the President for Investment and
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Economic Affairs
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The TWG shall have a technical secretariat, headed by the Investments
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Assistance Center/Service of BOI, which shall provide support to the TWG and perform
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functions in accordance with Section 6.


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Sec. 6. Duties and Responsibilities of Green Lane TWG. -The Green Lane TWG
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shall have the following functions:
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a) Exercise supervision on policies for the effective implementation of this
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Act;
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b) Ensure that all key and relevant issues and concerns affecting the delay
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in the processing of permits and licenses for Strategic Investments are
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addressed;
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c) Meet semi-annually or at any time as may be determined by the
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Chairperson or upon the recommendation of the technical secretariat,
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until the operationalization of the digital OSAC-SI;
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d) Require the OSAC-SI to submit regularly or when requested, summaries
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and status of pending and approved applications for permits and licenses
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of Strategic Investments; and after due deliberation and in consultation
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with the DTI-BOI endorse the matter to ARTA for appropriate action;
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e) Acts on complaints and take appropriate actions, consistent with their
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respective mandates, against third-party business consultants engaged by
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foreign and local investors who act in violation of Republic Act No. 9485
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or the "Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007", as amended or prejudice the interest
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of the project proponents and/or the government; and
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f) Exercise oversight powers over the implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 7. One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments. - There shall be a
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One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSAC-SI) that shall serve as the
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single point of entry for the issuance of the required licenses and permits from Bureau
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of Customs (BOC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
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Department of Energy (DOE), and other NGAs and GOCCs including instrumentalities
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and LGUs to all projects qualified as Strategic Investments.
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The OSAC-SI shall be under the supervision of the Investments Assistance
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Service of DTI-BOI.
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The DTI Secretary shall determine the organizational structure and pattern of
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the Bureau, subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management
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and consistent with the civil service laws, rules and regulations.


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Sec. 8. Functions of OSAC-SI. -OSAC-SI shall have the following powers and
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functions:
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a) Directly receive applications for Green Lane and applications as endorsed
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by the Office of the President, FIRB, Inter-Agency Investment Promotion
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Coordination Committee (IIPCC), and DTI-BOI;
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b) Identify and designate projects as Strategic Investments;
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c) Process, evaluate and endorse for approval of the DTI Secretary the
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application/s for Strategic Investments;
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d) Address investor concerns, through coordination with the Investments
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Promotion Unit Network (IPU-Net) member-agencies and endorse the
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same to concerned NGAs, LGUs, and/or quasi-judicial bodies for the
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processing of permits and licenses, and monitoring and reporting of
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actions taken therein;
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e) Produce and regularly update, an investor manual of guidebook or its
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equivalent annually, containing the list of government requirements for
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the establishment for Strategic Investments, as well as the concerned
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NGAs, LGUs, or quasi-judicial bodies issuing the relevant permits and
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licenses;
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f) Monitor and inquire on the status of ongoing applications for permits or
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licenses necessary for, or related to, applications of Strategic Investments,
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and in relation thereto, ascertain the government agency and individuals
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tasked with acting on a submission of electronic document, and such
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individual's action or inaction thereon;
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g) Submit yearly reports on the implementation of this Act to the Technical
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Working Group (TWG) created under Section 8 and to the Congress; and
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h) Provide aftercare services or post-establishment facilitation services to
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Strategic Investments.
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Sec. 9. Establishment of Green Lanes for Strategic Investments. -NGAs including
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their regional and provincial offices when applicable, BARMM, LGUs, shall establish a
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Green Lane within their offices for purposes of expediting and streamlining the
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processes and requirements for the issuance of permits and licenses for Strategic
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Investments endorsed by the OSAC-SI. The said Green Lane shall be integrated with


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the existing One-Stop Shops or One-Stop Action Centers established under existing
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laws, such as R.A. No. 11534, Republic Act No. 11234 or the" Energy Virtual One-Stop
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Shop Act" (EVOSS), and R.A. No. 11032 or the "Ease of Doing Business and Efficient
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Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 (EODB)".
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Each government agency shall designate an account officer or person-in-charge,
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preferably headed by a Director or its equivalent, involved in the issuance of permits,
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licenses, certifications and other business-related documents.
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The account officer or person-in-charge shall be responsible for coordinating with
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OSAC-SI, relevant government offices or agencies in streamlining and simplifying
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business permitting and licensing processes and recommending modifications or
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procedures that are outdated, redundant and add undue regulatory burden and cost
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to the transacting public, in coordination with the ARTA.
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Sec. 10. Investments Promotion Unit Network (IPU-Net). -The existing IPU-Net,
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composed of thirty-six (36) government agencies - the DTI, BOI, ARTA, Office of the
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Ombudsman, BSP, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Agriculture
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(DA), DOE, DENR, Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),
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Department of Health (DOH), Department of Information and Communications
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Technology (DICT), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),
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Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Public Works and
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Highways (DPWH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of
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Tourism (DOT), Department of Transportation (DOTr), DENR-Environmental
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Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), DILG-Bureau of Local Government Development,
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DILG-Bureau of Fire Protection, DILG-Bureau of Local Government Development,
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DOF-BOC, DOF-Bureau of Local Government Finance, DOF-Securities and Exchange
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Commission, DOH-Food and Drugs Administration, DOH-Health Facilities and Services
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Regulatory Bureau, DOJ-Bureau of Immigration, DOTr- Manila International Airport
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Authority, OP-Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, OP-National Commission on
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Indigenous Peoples, OP-National Economic Development Authority, OP-National
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Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and NEDA-PPP Center, shall be institutionalized to
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enhance a system of linkages and networking to address investor issues and concerns.
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Sec. 11. Who can avaii of the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments. -Any firm,
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corporation, partnership, one-person corporation, or joint venture, duly registered


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with the SEC, or in case of sole proprietorship, duly registered with the DTI, qualified
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and whose project is endorsed as Strategic Investments in accordance with Section 4,
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can avail of the Green Lane services.
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Sec. 12. Action on the Application. -NGAs and LGUs shall act on the applications
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for the issuance of a permit or license within the prescribed processing time provided
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in the concerned agency or Citizen's Charter of the LGU, which shall not be longer
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than three (3) working days in the case of simple transactions, seven (7) working days
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in the case of complex transactions, and twenty (20) working days for highly technical
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transactions from the date the complete application was received. The said prescribed
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maximum processing period may be extended only once, provided the same is
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indicated in the Citizen's Charter, pursuant to Rule VII, Section 3(b) of the IRR of R.A.
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No. 11032. In all cases, denial of such application shall be made in writing within the
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same period prescribed.
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Consistent with Section 10 of R.A. 9485, as amended, the complete application
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for the issuance of a permit or license shall be deemed approved in case of failure of
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NGA or LGU to act within the prescribed period. Provided, That the said automatic
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approval shall not be applicable for applications for registration and tax incentives
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under R.A. No. 11534.
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An application shall be considered complete when all the documentary
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requirements indicated in the respective Citizen's Charters are submitted and the
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required fees and charges are duly paid.
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Imposition of additional requirements other than those listed in the Citizen's
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Charter and imposition of additional costs not reflected in the Citizen's Charter shall
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be punished in accordance with Sections 21 and 22 of R.A. 9485, as amended.
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Sec. 13. Issuance of Permits and Licenses. - After the lapse of the original or
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extension period under Section 13, the NGA or LGU shall issue the requested permit
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or license, otherwise, the DTI-BOI shall endorse the case to the ARTA. Upon receipt
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of the endorsement, together with the presentation of the acknowledgment receipt
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and/or official receipt of the payment of the necessary license or permit fees, and
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other transaction costs, and upon due investigation and verification that the applicant
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has indeed fully submitted all necessary documents and paid all the required fees,
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ARTA shall issue a declaration of completeness and order the concerned office or


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agency to issue the appurtenant approval, extension, and/or renewal of the license,
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clearance, permit, certification, or authorization which is deemed approved pursuant
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to Section 10 of R.A. No. 9485, as amended by R.A. No. 11032.
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Sec. 14. Provisional Permits or Licenses. -Concerned NGAs and LGUs shall have
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the authority to issue a provisional approval, permit, and/or certification relating to
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applications for permits and/or certifications necessary for, or related to, applications
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of projects designated as Strategic Investment upon the execution of a notarized
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Affidavit of Undertaking. Provided, That the final action on such applications shall be
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released within a period of thirty (30) working days from the submission of complete
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documentary requirements and payment of all the corresponding fees, if there be any.
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OSAC-SI account officer shall monitor the compliance of the applicant to the
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Affidavit of Undertaking.
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Sec. 15. Simultaneous Processing of Applications. - Applications for Strategic
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Investments-related permits, licenses, certifications, clearances or authorizations may
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be filed simultaneously with all NGAs, and their regional and provincial offices, GOCCs,
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government instrumentalities, as well as LGUs,.
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Government agencies and offices that receive an application or transaction
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requiring permits from other government agencies or offices, shall process the
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application without awaiting the action of the latter agency provided there is
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substantial compliance on the application. The agency or office shall act on the
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presumption that the relevant permit from other government agencies had already
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been issued. The applicant shall submit the Endorsement Letter together with the
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application for permits and/or licenses to the concerned government agency, and shall
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execute a notarized Affidavit of Undertaking, using the template prescribed by the
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DTI-BOI, that it has filed the relevant documents from specific NGAs or LGUs and the
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applicant shall submit the complete documentary requirements within thirty (30)
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working days from the time of execution of such Affidavit. Provided, that said Affidavit
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of Undertaking shall be considered valid and binding between and among the
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proponent and government agencies unless otherwise revoked by the latter upon
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finding of non-compliance with laws, rules and regulations. NGA or LGU concerned
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shall then issue the corresponding provisional permits or licenses, with an annotation
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that it shall be subject to the completion of requirements covered by the undertaking.
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Any violation or circumvention of the provisions of the Affidavit of Undertaking
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shall constitute sufficient grounds for the suspension, cancellation or revocation of the
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Certificate of Registration, Permit, License, or Certificate issued by the concerned
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government agency, as well as the imposition of fees as may be authorized by
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applicable laws, rules and regulations, and issuances.
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Sec. 16. Business Continuity Plan (BCP). - All covered agencies shall provide in
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its BCP, the policies and procedures that will be followed in times of system operations
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error. The BCP processes shall be part of their respective Citizen's Charter to be
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submitted to ARTA and copy furnishing the OSAC-SI.
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Sec. 17. Accreditation of Business Consultants. - Pursuant to its function under
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Section 6 (e), the TWG, in consultation with concerned government agencies shall
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provide the criterion for accreditation of business consultants.
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Sec. 18. Monitoring. - Each concerned NGA, LGU, quasi-judicial body and other
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covered agencies shall prepare and submit to the DTI-BOI monthly report status of
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applications received and acted upon involving Strategic Investments covered under
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this Act.
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Sec. 19. Agency Support. - All concerned NGAs, GOCCs, and instrumentalities,
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LGUs, and private entities imbued with public interest issuing permits and licenses are
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hereby directed to provide the necessary assistance and support for the successful
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implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 20. Relationship with the ARTA. -OSAC-SI and ARTA shall assist each other
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in the fulfillment of their respective mandates, with due regard to R.A. No. 11032 as
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the general law with respect to the streamlining of processes in government agencies.
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Towards institutionalizing this collaborative relationship, OSAC-SI and ARTA may enter
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into formal arrangements detailing the scope and limitations of their partnership.
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Sec. 21. Administrative Relief - All orders or decisions of the OSAC-SI in cases
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involving the provisions of this Act, such as but not limited to, qualification and
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registration of the project as Strategic Investments, shall immediately be executory.
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The proponent may file one (1) Motion for Reconsideration of the denial of
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application under the Green Lane directly to the Office of the DTI Secretary, within
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five (5) working days from receipt of the written notice denying the application. The


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DTI Secretary shall resolve the same within seven (7) working days from the receipt 
of the motion.
Sec. 22. Reportoria! Requirements. - The OSAC-SI submit to the President of 
the Philippines and the Congress, through the DTI-BOI, a yearly report on the 
implementation of the Green Lane Act.
Sec. 23. Sanctions. - Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act shall be a 
ground for administrative or disciplinary sanctions against any erring public official or 
employee, as provided under existing laws and regulations, without prejudice to 
criminal, civil or other related liabilities under existing laws.
Sec. 24. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the 
departments/agencies concerned. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act 
(GAA).
Sec. 25. Impiementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DTI-BOI, in consultation with ARTA and other concerned 
government agencies, and other stakeholders shall promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
Sec. 26. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.
Sec. 27. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and 
regulations, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 28. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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