Duterte inks 4 new laws, including expeditious processing of gov’t permits in times of national emergency

January 5, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law four bills, including the expeditious processing of government permits in times of national emergency.

The newly-inked laws include Republic Act No. 115171 or An Act Authorizing the President to Expedite the Processing and Issuance of National and Local Permits, Licenses and Certifications in Times of National Emergency; RA 11509 or Doktor Para sa Bayan Act; RA 11510 or Alternative Learning System Act; and RA 11511 or An Act Amending RA 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.

RA 115171 provides the President, in times of national emergency shall have the authority to "accelerate and streamline regualtory processes and procedures for new and pending applications and renewals of permits, licenses, clearances, certifications or authorizations, including fixing or shortening the periods provided for under existing laws, regulations, issuances, and ordinances."

The Chief Executive is also authorized to suspend or waive the requirements in securing such permits, licenses, clearances, certifications or authorizations; and in consultation with or upon recommendation of the affected government agencies, may prescribe to be permaned the streamlined regulatory processes and procedures, and the suspension or waiver of requiorements in securing permits, licenses, and certificcations of authorizations.

Under RA 11509, the State shall establish a medical scholarship and return service program that will help deserving medical students pursue medical education and training in the field of health and medicine who shall eventually render services in government public health offices or govenrment hospitals in their hometown or in any municipality in their home province or in any underserved municipality in any province, as part of their integration into the public health and medical service system.

"The scholar shall render the mandatory return service within six years from the time of passing the PLE (Physician Licensure Examination) for those who have availed for a four-year program, and seven years for those who have availed of a five-year program," the law said.

However, in times of pandemic or public health emergency, the Department of Health may require the scholars to serve in any public health office or a government hospital where their services may be needed.

RA 11510 aims to provide adequate, timely, and quality attention and support to the basic learning needs of out-of-school children in special cases and adults including indigenous peoples.

Under RA 11511 provides for a nationwide educational and awareness campaign among consumers on the benefits of consuming organic products to boost local production of organic food and non-food products, as well as the adoption of organic agricultural system as a viable alternative shall be undertaken. Celerina Monte/DMS