On 23 February 2023, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, on behalf of the President, signed Executive Order No. 18 ("EO No. 18"), titled "Constituting Green Lanes for Strategic Investments". EO No. 18 aims to expedite the process of securing necessary licences and permits for Strategic Investments through the creation of Green Lanes.
Under EO No. 18, Strategic Investments are defined as those which are aligned with the Philippine Development Plan or any similar national development plan, and can be characterised by (i) significant capital or investment to the country; (ii) consequential economic impact; (iii) positive impact on the environment; (iv) significant contribution to the country’s balance of payments; (v) with complex technical processes and engineering designs; and (vi) will bring about improvement in the country’s infrastructure capabilities. These Strategic Investments are classified into three categories:
- Highly Desirable Projects;
- Foreign Direct Investments; and
- Projects or Activities under the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP).
EO 18 mandates all national government agencies and their regional and provincial offices, government-owned-or-controlled corporations, government instrumentalities, and local government units involved in the issuance of permits, licences, certifications, or authorisations covering Strategic Investments to establish Green Lanes to expedite the processes and streamline the requirements for the issuance of permits and licences. It also mandates the establishment of a One-Stop-Action-Center for Strategic Investments ("OSAC-SI"), which shall serve as the single point of entry for all projects qualified as strategic investments. OSAC-SI shall identify and endorse Strategic Investments to the appropriate Green Lanes, and shall include aftercare or post-investment assistance as part of its services.
Should a government agency fail to process an application within the prescribed periods, the application shall be deemed approved under Section 10 of the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007. The Department of Trade and Industry or the Board of Investments may likewise endorse unresolved applications for permits and licences to the Anti-Red Tape Authority upon the lapse of the original or extended period for processing.
