News Details

ARTA Launches Unified Permit System for Water and Wastewater Projects

NPO

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June 19, 2025

MANILA – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has taken a major step in expediting infrastructure development with the launch of a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) that simplifies and harmonizes the permitting process for water supply and wastewater projects across the country.

Unveiled on June 18, 2025, at the ARTA Innovation Hub in UP Ayala TechnoHub, Quezon City, the JMC was developed in coordination with key government agencies and private sector partners. It is designed to fast-track the approval of permits for the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of water and wastewater systems along both public and private roads.

“This JMC is a breakthrough in ensuring faster access to clean and sustainable water services, especially in underserved areas,” said ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez. “We are removing long-standing bureaucratic delays and aligning policies to benefit our communities and move toward a Bagong Pilipinas.”

The JMC, a product of a year-long multi-sector collaboration, establishes a transparent, integrated, and efficient permitting framework nationwide. It supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas initiative and contributes to the Philippines’ commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Among the key reforms introduced by the JMC are:

·         Consolidation of barangay clearance requirements into city or municipal processes;

·         Standardized timelines in line with the Ease of Doing Business Act (RA 11032);

·         Clear jurisdictional guidelines for permitting based on road classification (national, local, or private);

·         A unified system for excavation clearances.

The circular was formulated through extensive consultations involving national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), water service providers, and other stakeholders. It targets common barriers such as inconsistent local practices, overlapping procedures, high regulatory costs, and fragmented workflows.

Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, who attended the launch, praised the collaborative spirit behind the initiative, noting the shared challenges and solutions between Israel and the Philippines in water resource management.

“Congratulations to Secretary Perez and all involved. This milestone highlights the strength of inter-agency cooperation and the enduring ties between our countries,” Fluss said.

The event was attended by representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), alongside LGU officials and private sector stakeholders including Maynilad, Manila Water, and the Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD).

The full implementation of the JMC will begin following formal adoption by all concerned agencies. The DPWH will serve as the lead implementing agency, with DENR as co-chair, overseeing coordination, monitoring, and compliance efforts nationwide.

NPO News Team!

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