MAKATI CITY — IN a decisive push to curb bureaucratic inertia, House Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda has proposed a transformative measure that could redefine government responsiveness: the Certificate of No Action. Under this proposal, if a government agency fails to act within the legally mandated timeframe—and still does not respond after a formal follow-up by the Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) or the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB)—a permit would be automatically deemed granted.
“If an agency does not decide within the legal timeframe,” Salceda declared, “the IPA or EMB may issue a certificate. That counts as permit granted. Silence becomes approval. We turn delay into action.”
With characteristic directness, he added: “Bawal ang ghosting ng exporter.”
Salceda made the call during the ceremonial awarding of Export-Oriented Enterprise Certificates—a key implementing feature of the recently enacted CREATE MORE law, which he principally authored. While the law restores VAT zero-rating and provides a 100% additional deduction on electricity costs for qualifying exporters, Salceda emphasized that good laws are not enough without responsive governance.
“This certificate is not just a fix. It is a platform. It lets us build something better.”
Urging for more executive action on investments, Salceda warned that the legislative branch may be sidelined in the coming months due to political turbulence.
“Allow me to emphasize the centrality of executive agencies in the political context we are entering. With the Senate preoccupied, Congress is unlikely to pass meaningful reforms for months. The President and his agencies such as the DTI remain the only center of initiative capable of moving the economy decisively.”
Salceda pointed to history as proof that administrative action can carry the weight of economic reform:
“In 1965–1969, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. issued 1,300 executive issuances, including executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders—the most of any first-term administration. It was also the term with the fastest economic growth in Philippine history, at 6.9 percent.”
He warned that failure to act fast would mean wasting the Philippines’ rare edge under the new U.S. tariff structure.
“The Philippines got 17 percent. We were not spared. But we were treated better than most. That gives us a comparative advantage. And comparative advantage must be activated. If we do not act, it will disappear.”
Salceda also reiterated his push for deeper structural reforms, including full autonomy for economic zones:
“Treat ecozones as municipal corporations. They should be fully autonomous from the host LGU in everything—permits, zoning, budgeting, and operations. The only tie that remains is the obligation to remit the LGU’s lawful share of taxes. In all else, they should govern themselves. Like the City of London within Greater London.”
Calling on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), and the Board of Investments (BOI) to act swiftly, Salceda said:
“Let us now act like we intend to win. CREATE MORE is not the full plan. But it gives us the tools. Let us now build it.”
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