Philippine Energy Policy Wiki

Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC)

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operative
Confidence
high

The Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC) is an inter-agency body created under EO 30 (s. 2017) to harmonize, integrate, and streamline regulatory processes for energy investments in the Philippines — primarily for Energy Projects of National Significance (EPNS).

Legal basis: EO 30, s. 2017 (Duterte, signed June 28, 2017).

Energy Projects of National Significance (EPNS)

Major energy projects for power generation, transmission, and/or ancillary services, endorsed by DOE as EPNS, possessing at least one of the following attributes:

  • Capital investment of at least ₱3.5 billion
  • Significant contribution to economic development
  • Significant consequential economic impact
  • Significant balance of payments potential
  • Significant environmental impact
  • Complex technical processes and engineering designs
  • Significant infrastructure requirements

[EO 30, s. 2017, §2, 2017-06-28]

Composition

Chair: DOE representative

Members: DENR (BMB, EMB, FMB, LMB), NEA, NGCP, NPC, TransCo, DOF (BOC, BIR), DOJ (Bureau of Immigration), DOTr (CAAP, MARINA, PCG, PPA), Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), and such other agencies as the Council deems necessary [EO 30, s. 2017, §4, 2017-06-28].

Functions

  • Establish simplified approval processes; harmonize rules and regulations of all agencies involved in EPNS permitting
  • Prepare rules resolving inter-agency issues affecting EPNS implementation
  • Maintain web-based monitoring system for energy project applications
  • Create inter-agency subcommittees as needed
  • Submit quarterly progress reports to the Office of the President [EO 30, s. 2017, §5, 2017-06-28]

Processing Baselines for EPNS

§7 of EO 30 establishes two baseline rules for EPNS permitting:

  • Presumption of Prior Approvals: An agency receiving an EPNS application processes it without awaiting action by any other agency — acting on the presumption that other agencies’ permits are already granted
  • Action within 30 days: Agencies must act on complete EPNS applications within 30 days (timelines set by EICC). If no action within the deadline, the agency may no longer deny the application and must issue the permit within 5 working days after lapse [EO 30, s. 2017, §7, 2017-06-28]

These baselines preceded the statutory EVOSS timelines under RA 11234 (2019) by two years — EICC was the policy precursor to EVOSS for large energy projects.

Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS)

The CEPNS designation recognizes a project’s vital contributions to national power supply security, reliability, and affordability. Projects with CEPNS status receive prioritized processing of government permits, clearances, and endorsements across relevant agencies.

The Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) was the first project ever awarded a CEPNS, issued by the EICC on 08 May 2018 — recognizing MVIP’s strategic importance in realizing One Grid Philippines [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, p.83, 2023]. See Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) .