Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is mulling a bill aimed to fast-track the processing of critical power projects – an issue raised by power developers for a long time – in order to meet the country’s growing power requirements.

A bill will be refiled that will classify energy projects as projects of national significance, said Gatchalian, chairman of Senate committee on energy.

The bill aims to give priority to certain power projects, compelling permit-giving government agencies to work within a specific timeframe.

“A concrete example is permitting. [Under the bill, we will] give specific timeframe to cut the requirements of permits. So from day one, we know the timeframe to get certain permits. This will put pressure LGUs (local government units) to move,” Gatchalian said.

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