President Duterte created a new task group that will oversee the continued implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 11234 or the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act.

In his Executive Order (EO) No. 143, Duterte created the EVOSS task group (ETG) to replace EVOSS Steering Committee (EST), which was dissolved on March 30, 2021.

"It is imperative to sustain the momentum and continuity of the initiative under RA No. 11234 relative to the streamlining of the permitting and licensing processes and requirements of energy projects towards the full establishments and operationalization of the EVOSS," Duterte said. 

The ETG will be chaired by the Office of the President (OP) and vice chaired by the Department of Energy (DOE). 

Duterte said the ETG will exercise the same powers and functions of the EVOSS Steering Committee.

One of the main function of the EST was to create a paperless and electronic application and processing system, which serves as the single gateway for energy-related government transactions.  

He noted the ETF will be supported by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and will be required to submit an annual report of the its implementation of RA 11234 to the OP. 

The President signed EO 134 on July 2, 2021, but was only released to the media last Tuesday. 

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