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

18™ CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, _7831

Introduced by Representative RODRIGO A. ABELLANOSA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Covid-19 pandemic has hit our country’s economy really hard.
Since the nation was placed on strict quarantine measures in March, a
majority of businesses have been compelled to suspend activities. Today, even
as the pandemic continues to rage on, our economy is beginning to resume
operations, albeit taking on extra health safety measures to prevent the
spread of Covid-19.

But given the long pause they had to take during the quarantine, this
bill seeks to grant the President the authority to suspend the requirements
for national and local permits, licenses and certifications, and to streamline
and expedite the process for the issuance of such, in hopes of somehow
lightening the burden of our enterprises and allowing them to more easily
pursue their transactions.

By streamlining such regulatory activities, contact and exposure may
be minimized for such transactions, at the same time, shortening the turnover
periods for the same which will redound to more robust activities for business.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

RODRIGO A. ABELLANOSA


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

18™ CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. ‘7831

Introduced by Representative RODRIGO A. ABELLANOSA

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 the 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, and 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
(DOT!), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB),
Land Transportation Office (LTO), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
(CAAP), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority
(MARINA); Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (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

2


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

c. 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, licenses, 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 VII
Sections 1 and 18 of the Constitution, the Revised Administrative Code, and
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, presidential decrees, executive
orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with any provision of this Act shall
be deemed repealed or amended accordingly.


Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.