The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its Productivity and Development Center (PDC) – Modernizing Government Regulations Program (MGRP), conducted a public consultation on regulatory reforms targeting critical industries—Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Facilities and Water Utility. The event sought to gather feedback from vital stakeholders on regulatory review findings and emerging recommendations to streamline processes and foster a more competitive and business-friendly environment.
Key Issues, Findings, and Preliminary Recommendations
During the breakout sessions, study teams presented key findings and preliminary recommendations for both industries. Atty. Mark Anthony Gamboa, licensed environmental planner and assistant professor at the School of Urban and Regional Planning in the University of the Philippines-Diliman, led the Water Utility session. He highlighted overlapping regulatory functions, policy fragmentation, and local governance complexities as significant issues.
In the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) session, Dr. Casper Agaton, research fellow and professor of environmental economics at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, emphasized the need for regulatory clarity on environmental and safety compliance. Discussions addressed hazardous waste processing, transparency in emissions data, and alignment with local government units (LGUs) environmental plans.
Both sessions underscored the importance of regulatory streamlining and LGU participation. In the Water Utility session, participants identified 30 agencies with overlapping mandates and recommended consolidating these functions under a single apex body to eliminate redundancy. They also called for national-level decision-making to ensure consistency in water allocation policies and address conflicts between local ordinances and national strategies.
Recommendations from the WtE session included regular updates on emissions and hazardous materials handling to enhance transparency and build public trust. Attendees stressed the integration of long-term ecological plans with local waste management strategies to ensure sustainability.
Incorporating Stakeholder Feedback
Insights from the consultation have been incorporated into the MGR Program’s Interim Report. A near-final report was presented on 09 December 2024, for another round of stakeholder consultations, with the final report scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2025.
Conclusion and Call to Action
MGRP Program Manager Lea Peralta highlighted the importance of regulatory improvements in driving industry growth and supporting national economic resilience. She reiterated DAP’s commitment to improving regulatory quality through streamlining regulations, boosting productivity, and unlocking the full potential of key sectors to drive economic development.
PDC-Productivity and Development Research Office Director Monica Saliendres underscored the role of stakeholder feedback in shaping DAP’s upcoming regulatory recommendations, emphasizing that consultations are crucial to achieving a balanced regulatory approach aligned with government goals and industry needs.
The DAP extends its gratitude to the 109 participants from government and private agencies, academia, and the public sector who attended the consultation. Your contributions are invaluable in ensuring the success of regulatory reforms that balance public welfare with business sustainability.
The MGRP is funded through the Government Appropriations Act (GAA). For more information on the 2024 Regulatory Review and upcoming events, visit DAP’s website at www.dap.edu.ph or the MGRP’s website at mgr.dap.edu.ph. You may also contact the MGRP’s Regulatory Review component at mgrp2@dap.edu.ph.