The government on Thursday announced a major step towards bolstering the nation’s water infrastructure with the signing of a joint memorandum circular (JMC) designed to streamline the permitting process for water supply and wastewater systems.
Effective immediately, the measure seeks to dismantle bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate the rollout of essential water projects nationwide.
The new JMC directly addresses often-protracted procedures involved in the construction, installation, restoration, rehabilitation, repair and maintenance of vital water infrastructure, including those impacting national, local and private roads.
Among the JMC’s streamlining features is a unified barangay clearance, meaning applicants will no longer need to secure separate clearances from individual barangays.
The JMC also mandates that local government unit (LGU) traffic permits be incorporated into the main LGU excavation or work permit, eliminating separate submissions and potential delays.
The collaborative initiative with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), along with other agencies, is expected to boost the administration’s eight-point socioeconomic agenda by creating jobs, reducing poverty and promoting inclusive, sustainable growth through faster infrastructure development.
A technical working group (TWG), co-chaired by the secretaries of DPWH and DENR, with ARTA as the secretariat, will oversee the JMC’s implementation and monitor compliance.
A clear complaints and dispute resolution mechanism has also been established, directing specific concerns to relevant agencies to prevent delays.
