Philippine Energy Policy Wiki

DC2023-06-0020 — Policy and Administrative Framework for Offshore Wind Development (OPAF)

Status
operative
Confidence
high
Effective date
2023-07

Full title: Policy and Administrative Framework for the Efficient and Optimal Development of the Country’s Offshore Wind (OSW) Resources Short name: OPAF Parent instrument: EO 21 §2 (April 19, 2023) Companion instrument: DC2023-05-0013 (EO 21-IG) — covers development lifecycle; OPAF covers permitting governance Issued: June 2023 (signatory block reads “Secretary” — Secretary Lotilla at time of issuance) Effectivity: 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation (approx. early July 2023) Sections: 20

Key Provisions

Sections 1–4: Title, Policy, Scope, Definitions

  • OPAF governs all OSW Projects nationwide; applies to all departments, bureaus, agencies, GOCCs, LGUs, and entities involved in OSW permitting
  • 4 policy declarations: energy transition/SDG7; energy self-reliance/fossil fuel reduction; streamline OSWESC via EVOSS; Whole-of-Government Approach
  • Key definitions repeated from EO 21-IG; NSP defined by reference to WESM Rules

Section 5: Permits Submission

All Permitting Agencies submit to DOE by 18 June 2023: complete permit list + legal bases + online platform capability + focal unit contact + EVOSS-format process flow diagrams.

Section 6: Non-Compliance

  • PA may rectify within 15 days (extendible once) from notice of deficiency
  • Non-compliance = administrative offense under RA 11234
  • Late requirements deferred to next 3-year review period

Section 7: Evaluation by EVOSS Secretariat — 7 Actions

  1. Remove duplicate/overlapping permits within and among PAs
  2. Simplify application forms, processes, requirements
  3. Remove duplicate/redundant requirements and those lacking legal mandate
  4. Ensure RA 11234 §13 EVOSS timelines
  5. Reduce signatories per RA 11032 (Ease of Doing Business Act)
  6. Rationalize fees per AO 31 s.2012 + DOF-DBM-NEDA JC 1-2013
  7. Automate, digitalize, integrate into EVOSS

ESC authority (President chairs): May remove entire agencies or permits for redundancy, lack of legal basis, or being outside the agency’s mandate.

Section 8: Resource Persons

Non-ESC PAs nominate a resource person upon submitting permit list; attends ESC meetings on request; submits revisions/clarifications; disseminates to PA offices.

Section 9: EVOSS Integration Timelines

  • PAs with existing online portals: integrate within 1 year of OPAF effectivity
  • PAs without online platform: coordinate with EVOSS Secretariat within 6 months
  • “Status quo” processing during transition
  • Post-integration: exclusively through EVOSS

Section 10: Philippine Offshore Wind Databank (POWD)

Repository of all OSW project documents in the Virtual Storage Public Data Center (VSPDC) of the EVOSS System.

Section 11: Monitoring and Evaluation

Within 1 year of effectivity, DOE + PAs develop M&E System as basis for periodic permit/fee review.

Section 12: OSWESC Guidelines

DOE to issue OSWESC award and administration guidelines (→ eventually DC2024-06-0018).

Section 13: Transmission

  • NSP must prepare SGGP within 180 days of OPAF effectivity; ERC supports capex
  • ERC must issue transmission rules per EO 21-IG §10 timeline (60 days)
  • DOE + DENR + TransCo issue foreshore lease regulation for OSW transmission within 90 days

Section 14: Ports and Harbors

PPA + DOE + DOTr + BOI + DTI + OSW Developers: PPA prepares long-term Port Development Plan for OSW infrastructure (manufacturing, assembly, storage, operations).

Section 15: Safety and Security

DOE coordinates with DOTr, DND, DILG for intensified government presence in OSW areas.

Section 16: Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)

DOE + NAMRIA + DENR + DA develop MSP for OSW:

  1. Identify high-development areas
  2. Reduce uncertainties via spatial data
  3. Resolve protected area/no-build-up zone overlaps with existing WESCs
  4. Upskill agencies/stakeholders

Legacy WESC holders in no-build-up zones: submit revised contract area maps; reconfiguration allowed if adjacent area is (i) free, (ii) outside no-build-up zone, (iii) not larger than original.

Section 17: Penalties

RA 11234 Chapter III §§17–21 applies.

Pages Updated

  • wiki/pages/concepts/offshore-wind.md — Added OPAF governance section: permitting rationalization (7 actions + ESC removal power), EVOSS integration timelines, POWD, transmission mandates (NSP SGGP 180-day + foreshore lease 90-day), Port Development Plan, Marine Spatial Planning, Safety/Security
  • wiki/pages/concepts/evoss.md — Added OPAF EVOSS Secretariat evaluation powers (7 actions, ESC removal authority) and integration timelines (1yr/6mo)
  • wiki/pages/concepts/sggp.md — Added OPAF NSP SGGP mandate for OSW within 180 days of OPAF effectivity

Full text: Cleaned copy