SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
Senate
/(DHiff of lilt feecrfl«rj»
*17 
m - 9  P6-.09
SENATE
RECEIVED S r..
7^
S en ate Bill No. 1439
(In substitution of Senate Bill No. 1286)
P repared an d  su b m itted  by th e C om m ittee on Energy 
w ith S en ato r G atchalian as a u th o r th e re o f
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE ENERGY VIRTUAL ONE STOP SHOP 
FOR THE PURPOSE OF STREAMLINING THE PERMITTING PROCESS 
OF ENERGY GENERATION PROJECTS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assem bled:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
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SECTION 1. T itle. -  This Act shall be known as the “Energy Virtual One Stop
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Shop Act of 2017”.
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SECTION 2. D eclaration o f P olicy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the
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State to:
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a) E nsure the quality, reliability, security, and affordability of energy by 
undertaking m easures to guarantee th at supply m eets dem and in a 
timely m anner;
b) Recognize the indispensable role of the private sector in energy 
generation by attracting new energy generation projects through an 
improved ease of doing business index, and reducing the high 
transaction costs associated with copious requisites for developers;
c) Ensure transparency and accountability in the process for approving 
energy generation projects; and


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d) Deliver efficient and effective service to the public by:
1. Elim inating 
duplication, 
redundancy, 
and 
overlapping 
m andates in docum entary subm issions and processes by 
supplying an online platform for governm ent agencies to 
coordinate and share information; and
2. Providing a paperless application and processing system  which 
serves as a single gateway for energy generation developers to 
access all information necessaiy to apply for a new generation 
project, subm it all requirem ents, and m onitor the approval of 
such.
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SECTION 3. Scope. -  This Act shall apply to all new energy generation projects 
throughout the country and all departm ents, agencies, local governm ent units 
(LGUs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and other 
entities involved in the perm itting process of energy generation projects.
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SECTION 4. Definition of T erm s. — As used in this Act, the following words or
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terms shall have the following meaning, unless provided otherwise:
a)
b)
c)
Bidding Docum ents -  refer to docum ents issued by the 
Procuring Entity as the basis for bids, furnishing all information 
necessary for a prospective bidder to prepare a bid for the 
goods, infrastructure projects, and consulting services to be 
provided;
Energy Virtual One Stop Shop -  refers to an online system  th at 
allows the single subm ission and synchronous processing of all 
required data and information, and provides a single decision­
m aking portal for the approval of new energy generation 
projects;
Government Agency -  refers to the agency of the governm ent as 
defined in Executive Order No. 292 otherwise known as the 
“Administrative Code of 1987”;


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d)
f)
Jo in t Congressional Power Commission (JCPC) -  refers to the 
Commission created under Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise 
known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001;
Perm itting Process -  refers to the comprehensive procedure 
undertaken in order to put up an energy generation project 
which includes but is not limited to the following phases: 
business registration, acquisition of an operating contract or 
service contract, pre-development, and constnjction of a power 
plant up to and including the date of commercial operations 
thereof, as well as all the required docum entary requirem ents, 
taxes, and fees from all governm ent agencies involved in such 
procedure: 
Provided, 
That 
the 
procedure 
excludes 
the
operational phase of the project.
Procuring Entity -  refers to any branch, departm ent, office, 
agency, or instrum entality of the government, including state 
universities and colleges, government-owned a n d /o r -controlled 
corporations, 
governm ent financial 
institutions, 
and 
local 
governm ent units procuring goods, consulting services, and 
infrastructure projects.
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CHAPTER II
ENERGY VIRTUAL ONE STOP SHOP
SECTION 5. C reation an d  E stablishm ent. — An Energy Virtual One Stop Shop 
(EVOSS) is hereby established and shall be under the supervision of the DOE. 
Towards this end, the DOE shall m aintain and update an effective information 
technology infrastructure system  which shall be updated regularly subject to 
the provisions of this Act.
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SECTION 6. C h aracteristics. -  The EVOSS shall have the following
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characteristics:
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a. Recognize the legal effect, validity, and enforceability of electronic 
docum ents subm itted for applications of energy generation projects;


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11.
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IV.
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b. Utilize an online paym ent system  for all fees and taxes imposed for 
applications of energy generation projects;
c. Provide a secure and accessible paperless processing system  for all 
energy generation developers to:
i. 
Identify all electronic docum entary requirem ents required from all 
concerned governm ent agencies, LGUs, GOCCs, and other entities, 
and the corresponding fees and taxes and perm itting process for 
each kind of energy generation project and for each phase of the 
project.
Prepare, subm it, process, and receive actions on all subm itted 
electronic docum entary requirem ents.
Monitor and inquire of the statu s of on-going applications for 
energy generation projects, and in relation to this, ascertain the 
agency, office, bureau, and individual tasked with acting on a 
subm itted electronic docum ent and the action or inaction on it. 
Calculate, 
pay, 
and 
settle 
all 
appropriate 
fees 
and 
taxes 
electronically, and
Subm it com plaints concerning inaction on subm itted electronic 
docum ents;
d. Provides a secure and accessible system  for all governm ent agencies 
involved in the perm itting process of energy generation projects to 
interoperate with respect to:
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A unified perm itting process.
Uniform tem plates for electronic docum entary requirem ents. 
Compliance with m andated processing time as stated in each 
agency’s citizen’s charter or as imposed by the Inter-Agency 
Technical Working Group of the EVOSS,
Updating 
and 
m onitoring 
of 
all 
electronic 
docum entary 
requirem ents for approval and clearing.
Determining which agency, office, and bureau an on-going 
application is in, and its statu s there.
O ther aspects of the processing system;
e. O perates as a 100% virtual storage and rules driven system  built as an 
integrated shared service of governm ent agencies, LGUs, GOCCs, and 
other entities involved in the perm itting process of energy generation 
projects; and
f. Comprises of a technology platform and an operations m anagem ent 
software platform for governm ent agencies, LGUs, GOCCs, and other 
entities involved in the perm itting process of energy generation projects
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iii.
IV.
V.
VI.


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to build their defined processes and forms within a strict timeframe 
using published standards.
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SECTION 7. Inter-A gency T echnical W orking Group of th e  EVOSS. -  There 
shall be an Inter-Agency Technical Working Group of the EVOSS (EVOSS- 
lATWG), to be composed of the Office of the President as the Chairperson and 
the Secretaiy of the DOE as the Vice-Chairperson, and shall have as members:
a) 
Secretary of the D epartm ent of Finance (DOF);
b) 
Secretary of the D epartm ent of Agriculture (DA);
c) 
Secretary of the D epartm ent of Labor and Employment (DOLE);
d) 
Secretaiy of the D epartm ent of Trade and Industry (DTI);
e) 
Secretaiy of the D epartm ent of Agrarian Reform (DAR);
f) 
Secretary of the D epartm ent of Environm ent and N atural Resource 
(DENR);
g) 
Secretary of the D epartm ent of Interior and Local Government 
(DILG);
h) 
Secretary of the D epartm ent of T ransportation (DOTr);
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Secretaiy of the D epartm ent of Information and Com m unications 
Technology (DICT);
j) 
Secretary of the D epartm ent of Public Works and Highway (DPWH);
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Secretary of the D epartm ent of Science and Technology (DOST);
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Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);
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C hairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC);
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President of the National Power Corporation (NPC);
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President of the National Transm ission Corporation (TRANSCO);
p) 
Adm inistrator of the National Electrification Adm inistration (NEA);
q) 
C hairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
(NCIP);
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Executive Director of the National W ater Resources Board;
s) 
President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines 
(ULAP);
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C hairperson of the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB);
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C hairperson or head of the M arket Operator;
v) 
C hairperson or head of the System Operator; and
w) 
Three (3) representatives of the intended private sector end-users of 
the EVOSS: Provided, That the said representatives shall be


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nom inated 
by 
the 
DOE; 
Provided further, 
That 
the 
said 
representatives shall be non-voting m em bers.
The m em bers of the EVOSS-IATWG may designate their perm anent 
representatives who m ust be knowledgeable in the represented agency’s role, 
requirem ents, fees and taxes, and internal processes with respect to energy 
generation projects: Provided, That the involvement of the government agency, 
LGUs, and other entities in the perm itting process of energy generation projects 
is a prerequisite of its m em bership in the EVOSS-IATWG.
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SECTION 8. S e c re tariat to  th e  EVOSS-IATWG. -  The DOE shall establish the
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necessaiy Secretariat for the EVOSS-IATWG.
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SECTION 
9. 
F u n ctio n s 
an d 
R esponsibilities 
o f th e  
EVOSS-IATWG 
C hairperson. -  The Chairperson of the EVOSS-IATWG shall, upon consultation 
with the DOE, convene the EVOSS-IATWG within two (2) m onths from the 
effectivity of this Act.
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The Chairperson of the EVOSS-IATWG shall have the following functions
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and responsibilities:
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a. Provide leadership direction for the EVOSS-IATWG in order to
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implement this Act and achieve its policy objectives while ensuring the
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responsiveness of the EVOSS to changing developments in information
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technology and the needs of the energy sector;
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b. Promote collaborative relationships and open communication between
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members of the EVOSS-IATWG;
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c. Encourage consensus building in decision-making by the EVOSS
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lAWTG: Provided, That in cases where a consensus cannot be reached,
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the Chairperson shall decide on the matter;
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d. Upon consultation with the Vice-Chairperson and the Secretariat, set
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the EVOSS-IATWG’s meeting schedule and agenda;
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e. Preside over all meetings of the EVOSS-IATWG;
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f. Ensure that all key and appropriate issues are discussed, deliberated
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upon, and resolved by the EVOSS-IATWG in a timely manner;
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g. Review and approve all acts of the 
EVOSS-IATWG concerning
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recom m endations on removal or inclusion of governm ent agencies,
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GOCCs, and other entities in the permitting process and in the EVOSS-


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lATWG: Provided, That a governm ent agency, GOCC, or entity may be 
removed for reasons of redundancy or lack of express legal m andate: 
Provided further, That a governm ent agency, GOCC, or entity may be 
included if supported by an express legal m andate; Provided finally, 
That the inclusion of a bureau, board, or GOCC in the EVOSS-IATWG 
shall be limited to its agency or departm ent head; 
h. Initiate disciplinary action against m em bers of the EVOSS-IATWG as 
provided in Section 16 of this Act.
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SECTION 10. F u n ctio n s an d  R esponsibilities o f th e  V ice-C hairperson of
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th e EVOSS-IATWG. -  The Vice-Chairperson of the EVOSS-IATWG shall have
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the following functions and responsibilities:
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a. Identify all governm ent agencies, LGUs, GOCCs, and other entities 
involved in each phase of the perm itting process of each kind of energy 
generation project and subm it it to the Chairperson within one (1) m onth 
upon the effectivity of this Act;
b. Preside over m eetings of the EVOSS-IATWG, in the absence of the 
Chairperson;
c. Prepare the Bidding Docum ents for the EVOSS as approved by the 
EVOSS-IATWG: Provided, That the term s of reference shall come from the 
EVOSS-IATWG as provided under Section 12 (e) of this Act;
d. Act as the Procuring Entity for the EVOSS;
e. Upon consultation with the EVOSS-IATWG, invest in the necessary 
hardw are and software to improve and update the m aintenance and 
operation of the EVOSS, such infrastructure to include but is not limited 
to a virtual storage public data center and Quality of Service of the 
EVOSS;
f. Equip DOE personnel to m aintain and operate the EVOSS;
g. Provide the necessary training and capacity building to all governm ent 
agencies, LGUs, GOCCs, and stakeholders involved in the EVOSS;
h. Exercise supervision over the EVOSS;
i. Subm it regular reports to the EVOSS lATWG on m atters enum erated in 
Section 10 (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) of this Act; and
j. Recommend to the EVOSS-IATWG the possible expansion of the use of 
the platform to other energy licensing processes, if any.
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SECTION 
11. 
F u n ctio n s and R esponsibilities o f th e 
EVOSS-IATWG
S ecretariat. - The Secretariat of the EVOSS-IATWG shall have the following
functions and responsibilities:
a. Assist the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson in determ ining the m eeting 
schedule and agenda of the EVOSS-IATWG;
b. Supply adm inistrative and, if necessary, technical support to the EVOSS- 
IATWG;
c. Provide docum ents and reports which contain relevant, accurate, timely, 
and clear information necessaiy for the EVOSS-IATWG to fulfill its 
duties; and
d. Perform such other duties as the Chairperson or the EVOSS-IATWG may 
delegate to the Secretariat.
SECTION 12. D uties an d  R esponsibilities o f th e  EVOSS-IATWG. -  The
EVOSS-IATWG shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
a. Within three (3) m onths upon the effectivity of this Act, create a detailed 
process flow of each phase of the perm itting process for each kind of 
energy generation project, which should reflect, am ong others:
i. 
Docum entary requirem ents, 
and fees and taxes from each 
governm ent agency, and
ii. 
Internal process flow which includes the offices to which the 
docum ents pass through, the individuals who approve them , and 
the m axim um  num ber of days to process these docum ents as 
stated in the citizen’s charter or as imposed by the EVOSS-IATWG;
b. Within six (6) m onths from the effectivity of this Act, stream line the said 
detailed process flow by:
i. 
Agreeing on and creating unified forms of electronic docum ents to 
replace existing docum entary requirem ents.
Removing duplications and redundancies in required docum ents, 
and
Creating a simplified internal process flow within each government 
agency such th at applications with complete electronic docum ents 
and settled fees and taxes shall be resolved within fifteen (15) 
working days: Provided, That the timeframe for applications with 
the NCIP and LGUs shall be governed by Sections 14 and 15 of this 
Act;
11.
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c. Review the 
m axim um  num ber of days to 
process docum entary 
requirem ents as stated in each governm ent agency’s citizen’s charter, 
and, should it see fit, impose the m axim um  allowable num ber of days for 
processing in each governm ent agency;
d. E nsure the linkage of an online paym ent system  to the stream lined 
process flow;
e. Develop the term s of reference for the EVOSS developer which will be 
chosen through a public bidding under DOE’s Bids and Awards 
Committee;
f. Determine a reasonable processing fee for energy generation developers 
who use the EVOSS;
g. Meet 
regularly, 
as 
determ ined 
by 
the 
Chairperson 
and 
upon 
recom m endation of the Vice-Chairperson, until the operationalization of 
the EVOSS which shall not be later than one (1) year from the effectivity 
of this Act;
h. G ather bi-annually upon the operationalization of the EVOSS to, among 
others:
i. Monitor and assess the perform ance of the EVOSS,
ii. Determine congestion points, if any, in the existing system, and 
m echanism s to address them ,
iii. Receive and resolve com plaints from governm ent personnel and 
energy generation developers who use the system,
iv. Convey information, if any, of the agency’s updated requirem ents 
and internal processes which m ake the current system  more 
efficient,
v. Identify redundant requirem ents or those not expressly m andated 
by law, and recom mend to the Chairperson the removal of the 
requirem ent from the perm itting process and the concerned 
agency, if applicable, from the EVOSS-IATWG,
vi. Identify redundant requirem ents which are expressly m andated by 
law and subm it a recom m endation on the m atter to the Joint 
Congressional Power Commission (JCPC); and
vii. Prepare the annual report to the JCPC; and
i. Perform other acts necessary and incidental to accom plish the policy 
objectives of this Act.
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SECTION 13. D uties an d  R esponsibilities o f G overnm ent A gencies, LGUs,
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GOCCs, O ther E n tities, an d  S takeholders. -All government agencies, GOCCs,


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other entities, and stakeholders involved in the perm itting process of energy
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generation projects shall:
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a. Actively participate in the EVOSS-IATWG;
b. Cooperate and co-labor with the DOE and other governm ent agencies 
towards the immediate operationalization of the EVOSS;
c. Continually review internal process flows to increase efficiency and 
reduce processing time; and
d. Assign a person in charge of m anaging the EVOSS account to ensure 
proper m onitoring and updating of electronic docum ents before the said 
agency.
SECTION 14. Local G overnm ent U nits. -  All applications with complete 
supporting docum ents filed with the LGU shall be resolved within fifteen (15) 
calendar days for barangays, fifteen (15) calendar days for cities or 
m unicipalities, and fifteen (15) calendar days for provinces: Provided, That this 
shall not preclude the EVOSS-IATWG from imposing a shorter timeframe for 
resolution of applications should it see the expediency and feasibility of doing 
so.
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Failure of an LGU to act on applications duly filed with complete
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supporting docum ents within the given period of time shall be deemed approval
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of such application by the LGU.
The denial of applications shall only be on valid grounds and fully 
explained in writing. The said denial m ay be appealed to the LGU having 
supervision over the disapproving LGU or, in the case of highly urbanized and 
independent cities, to the DILG. In all cases, any conflict between and among 
LGUs shall be resolved in accordance with the rem edies provided for under the 
Local Government Code of 1991.
SECTION 15. Indigenous C ultural C om m unities/IndigenousP eoples. -
Applications with NCIP shall be resolved within a m axim um  period of thirty 
(30) calendar days: Provided, That this shall not preclude the EVOSS-IATWG 
from imposing a shorter timeframe for resolution of applications should it see 
the expediency and feasibility of doing so: Provided further, That denial of 
applications shall only be on valid grounds and fully explained in writing.
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CHAPTER II
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES
SECTION 16. A dm inistrative O ffenses. -  The following acts, when committed 
by a governm ent official a n d /o r employee, shall be considered adm inistrative 
offenses:
a. Willful refusal to participate in the EVOSS;
b. Willful acts which delay the operationalization of the EVOSS;
c. Failure to comply with the m andated processing time of applications for 
energy generation projects as provided in an agency’s citizen’s charter or 
as imposed by the EVOSS-IATWG; and
d. Tampering with the EVOSS or any part or com ponent thereof.
SECTION 17. C onfidentiality. -  No information or any aspect of a docum ent 
subm itted by any energy generation developer shall be divulged or released to 
anyone other than an authorized person or agency.
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SECTION 18. P enalties. -  Any person found guilty of committing the act
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stated in Section 16 (a) and (b) shall be penalized as follows:
a. ) First offense - Thirty (30) days suspension w ithout pay;
b. ) Second offense -  Three (3) m onths suspension without pay; and
c. ) Third Offense -  Dism issal and perpetual disqualification from public
service.
Any person found guilty of committing the act stated in Section 16 (c) 
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shall be penalized as follows:
a) First offense -  Reprimand;
b) Second offense -  Thirty (30) days suspension w ithout pay; and
c) Third and succeeding offenses -  Three (3) m onths suspension w ithout 
pay.
Any person found guilty of committing the act stated in Section 16 (d) shall 
suffer the penalty of dism issal and perpetual disqualification from public 
service.
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Any person found guilty of violating Section 17 shall suffer the penalty of
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dism issal and perpetual disqualification from public service.
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SECTION 19. A dm inistrative Ju risd ic tio n . — The adm inistrative jurisdiction 
on any violation of the provision of this Act shall be vested in the Civil Service 
Commission or the DILG, in accordance with appropriate laws and issuances.
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SECTION 20. Civil an d  C rim inal Liability. — The finding of adm inistrative 
liability under this Act shall not be a bar to the filing of criminal, civil, or other 
related charges under existing laws arising from the sam e act or omission as 
herein enum erated.
CHAPTER III 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 
21. 
A ppropriations. 
-  The 
sum  
Fifty 
Million 
Pesos 
(Php 
50,000,000.00) for the initial im plem entation of this Act shall be taken from 
the current appropriations of the DOE. 
Thereafter, the funds necessary to 
can y  out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act.
SECTION 22. O versight C om m ittee. -  Upon the effectivity of this Act, the 
JCPC established under Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry 
Reform Act of 2001 shall exercise oversight powers over the im plem entation of 
this Act.
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SECTION 23. R eportorial R equirem ents. -  The EVOSS-IATWG shall take the 
necessary m easures to ensure th at the provisions of this Act are properly 
implemented 
and 
should 
subm it 
annual 
reports 
on 
the 
program  
im plem entation and fund utilization to the JCPC.
SECTION 24. E valuation. -  Upon recom m endation of the EVOSS-IATWG, or 
within five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act, the JCPC shall conduct a 
system atic evaluation of the accom plishm ents and im pact of this Act for 
purposes of determ ining remedial legislation.
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SECTION 25. S eparability C lause. — If for any reason, any provision of this
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Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof
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which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and in effect.
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SECTION 26. R epealing C lause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with or contrary to the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, am ended or modified accordingly.
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SECTION 27. E ffectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in at least two (2) national new spapers of general circulation.
Approved.
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