Implement EoDB law – biz groups
Credit to Author: LISBET K. ESMAEL| Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2019 16:21:29 +0000
Last month’s water crisis has highlighted the need to immediately implement the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) law, business and industry groups said, with mandated transaction deadlines seen hastening the development of new supply sources.
“[W]e urge the government to develop new raw water sources in the immediate pipeline as projects of national significance and to fast-track their bureaucratic approvals by obtaining permits, in parallel rather than sequential order, while ensuring proper environmental and social safeguards are adequately put in place,” they said in a joint statement.
“Full implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Act would be very useful in this regard,” they added.
Signatories were Alyansa Agrikultura, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines Inc., Korean Chamber of Commerce Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Agriculturists Inc., Philippine Association of
Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc., Philippine Association of Water Districts, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.
The EoDB law, which aims to simplify government and business transactions, was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in May last year and took effect in June 2018.
Its implementing rules and regulations, however, have yet to be signed as these require the approval of a yet-to-be-appointed Anti-Red Tape Authority director.
Under the law, government agencies have to act within three working days on simple business transactions, seven for complex transactions, and 20 for highly technical applications.
The business and industry groups called on Manila Water Co. Inc., which has been blamed for last month’s water shortages, to fast-track the completion of its Cardona treatment plant and also secure additional sources.
“The megacity’s overdependence on the sole Angat Dam for Metro Manila’s water supply requirements has proven to be folly, especially in the face of continued economic and population growth, climate change, and disaster risk,” they added.
Other recommendations include investing in technology for water conservation and usage, crafting a nationwide water security masterplan, the appointment of a “water czar” who can bring “order to the currently directionless water sector”, and continuous efforts to rehabilitate water bodies and ecosystems.
“Water is too crucial a matter to overlook. Action is needed now to ensure water security for Metro Manila and our country tomorrow,” they said.
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