Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Monday a comprehensive implementation of the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) system will attract more renewable energy (RE) investments and bodes well with the government’s thrust towards cleaner energy.
Gatchalian said in a statement the law has yet to be fully implemented, as the completion rate stood at 85 percent since it was enacted in 2019, based on the November 2023 data of the Department of Energy (DOE).
“The environmental and economic benefits that we can derive from using renewable energy are enormous. Aside from generating cleaner energy, renewable fuels would diversify our energy supply and would significantly reduce our dependence on imports. This is why we pushed for the enactment of the EVOSS because the country will greatly benefit from this,” he said.
Gatchalian made the statement as he renewed calls on the DOE to fully roll out the EVOSS system that is expected to make it easier for prospective investors to develop RE projects in the country.
The Bureau of Investments (BOI) recently said more RE projects including the manufacturing of equipment for RE projects are in the pipeline this year.
Gatchalian said that budget utilization for the EVOSS system should be stepped up.
He said that while the budget disbursement rate for the EVOSS Act increased to 89 percent in September 2023 from 13 percent in 2022, the obligation rate declined to 48 percent from 83 percent.
“The DOE should be aggressive in its implementation because EVOSS aims to eliminate any foreseeable impediment to renewable energy investments,” said Gatchalian, the main author of Republic Act 11234 or an Act Establishing The Energy Virtual One-Shop For The Purpose Of Streamlining The Permitting Process of Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Projects.
He said permitting could be expedited through the EVOSS system which aims to eliminate red tape in the energy sector but also to promote a more conducive investment environment for the energy sector.
“If we can show to the investors that it is easier for them to put up RE projects, it gives a signal to other investors to invest in the country,” he said.