KEYNOTE MESSAGE
ARSENIO M. BALISACAN, PhD
Secretary, National Economic and Development Authority
Ceremonial Signing of Executive Order No. 59 Guidelines
Jose Palma Hall, Philippine International Convention Center
18 June 2024 | 9:00 AM
ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez,
Members of the Cabinet,
Officials in government,
Distinguished representatives from the private sector,
Our friends from the media,
A warm welcome and good morning to all of you!
On behalf of NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, please allow me to deliver this Keynote Message.
Today’s launch of the implementing guidelines for Executive Order (EO) No. 59 marks a significant step forward in this Administration’s commitment to deliver the promises of the ambitious and transformative Build-Better-More infrastructure program. Our infrastructure drive now includes 185 Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs), collectively amounting to 9.54 trillion pesos or about 162.7 billion US dollars.
On April 30, 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. issued EO No. 59 to streamline the government’s permitting process for IFPs. The EO aims to ensure that no unnecessary delays will occur in issuing licenses, clearances, permits, certifications, or authorizations needed to approve and implement such projects to ensure timely completion. The guidelines cover national government agencies (NGAs), including government-controlled or -owned corporations, government instrumentalities, and local government units (LGUs).
We have limited the number of permits or clearances required to process IFPs and further simplified the permitting processes of IFP licensing agencies.
Indeed, the guidelines:
- Enable the use of electronic or digital signatures;
- Limit the number of signatories required on documents;
- Allow for the simultaneous processing of applications through the submission of an Affidavit of Undertaking; and
- Mandate the automatic approval or renewal of documents if concerned licensing agencies fail to act within the prescribed time.
In conjunction with these features is another equally transformative provision that mandates digitalizing the operations of all IFP licensing and related agencies. To better facilitate the permitting process, all agencies are encouraged to automate and computerize their database and adopt a system for practicing online and/or electronic submissions to ensure the interoperability of their platforms and seamless data and information-sharing. Digital transformation, a dynamic innovation ecosystem, and enhanced digital and physical connectivity are all part of the transformation agenda espoused by the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. Implementing and pushing for policies that advance these priorities contribute to the fundamental transformation of our society. Such initiatives foster and create a culture that promotes efficient public service delivery and sound governance. They help safeguard our processes against corruption by upholding transparency and accountability. Thus, EO 59 will be instrumental in boosting the country’s competitiveness and attracting more investments for industries and growth drivers as it establishes a more efficient and transparent permitting process, which, in turn, creates a more conducive environment for businesses and investors alike.
Therefore, properly implementing these guidelines is crucial to our nation’s progress. To ensure its proper and effective implementation, we will establish mechanisms that will allow us to track and report the compliance of IFP licensing agencies effectively. Such reports on the progress of the EO’s implementation will be made to the NEDA Committee on Infrastructure (INFRACOM), and we will ensure that the President will be closely apprised of these developments so that we can address the issues expeditiously.
With our efforts concentrated on addressing the most binding constraints to investment, we are steadily progressing and making good on our commitments. In these last two years, the Marcos Administration is proud to report the completion of three (3) IFPs: the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project in 2023, the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Pampanga Bay Project, and the Flood Risk Improvement and Management Project for Cagayan De Oro River in 2024. We look forward to completing more projects in 2024 and beyond as we accelerate the rollout of our IFPs.
I am grateful to all of our colleagues and partners in government, from the Anti-Red Tape Authority, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and other member agencies of the INFRACOM, who have worked hard to realize these critical guidelines.
Since the beginning of President Marcos’ term, we have reiterated the government’s commitment to continue our infrastructure build-up: we aim to spend about 5 to 6 percent of our gross domestic product or GDP on infrastructure until 2028.
Fast-tracking our major capital projects is crucial because we seek to catch up with our dynamic neighbors in the region and realize the numerous economic opportunities such projects will bring. We hope to create the enabling conditions for high-quality job creation for thousands of Filipinos; we wish to enhance regional connectivity and link leading and lagging regions; and we aim to raise the competitiveness of our local industries and foster rapid, sustained, and inclusive growth.
The government is the Filipino people’s partner in nation-building. Infrastructure development represents only one facet of our overall development strategy. Indeed, may today’s accomplishment remind us that addressing barriers such as red tape and reducing—if not eliminating—opportunities for corruption are both pivotal and possible as we pave the way for deep-rooted socioeconomic transformation under a Bagong Pilipinas. As we move forward, we commit to working tirelessly towards fully realizing our collective ambition: that of a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay for all Filipinos.
Thank you again to everyone here today, and good morning to all.
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