In a move to boost investor confidence and ease doing business, Northern Samar has become the first local government in the Philippines to formally adopt a Green Lane Policy through a newly signed ordinance.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan signed Ordinance No. 7 on June 13, establishing a fast-track system for processing strategic investments, particularly in renewable energy. The signing took place during the province’s 60th founding anniversary, witnessed by investors and development partners.
Sponsored by five Board Members, the measure reflects Northern Samar’s drive to create a more investor-friendly environment by cutting red tape and streamlining approval processes.
(Also read: Bohol Proves Its Power in Clean Energy Leadership)
Green lane benefits
Spearheaded by Ongchuan and executed by the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office under Jhon Allen Berbon, the province’s Green Lane Policy is designed to position the province as a prime hub for renewable energy and major investments.
Ongchuan described the policy not merely as a bureaucratic fix but as a strategic move. He stated, “It is a deliberate shift toward a pro-investment governance model that values responsiveness, accountability, and sustainability.”
Central to the policy is a “single point of entry” system, which routes investment proposals through the provincial government before coordinating with relevant municipalities. This setup, formalized through an earlier memorandum of agreement (MOA) with local governments, aims to speed up approvals.
The ordinance also enables the simultaneous processing of permits—replacing the usual step-by-step system—and authorizes the province to issue permits for key projects. By streamlining procedures through its investment office, the province seeks to boost efficiency and accelerate economic development.
In addition to streamlining processes, Northern Samar’s Green Lane Policy extends a range of incentives to encourage investment. These cover relief from local tax obligations for up to five years, including certain business and property-related charges. It also offers support services such as investor outreach, marketing assistance, guidance throughout the investment process, and post-establishment care.
Now formally in place, the policy signals Northern Samar’s push to redefine its image—from a historically underserved province to an emerging center for green investments and business-friendly reforms in Eastern Visayas, according to the governor.
(Also read: Northern Samar Rises as Green Energy Hub)
Policy background
Even before the House Ways and Means Committee endorsed the measure on December 3, Northern Samar had already begun putting the green lane system into practice, according to Berbon.
“While Congress is still deliberating the proposed bill (House Bill 8039), we are already operationalizing it and has been attracting major investments through the establishment of the green lane,” Berbon explained.
Among the notable ventures supported through the province’s green lane system are a tidal energy initiative by Energies Ph. Inc., a hydroelectric project led by EB Tech, and a solar development from Ranyag Tech. Also facilitated were offshore wind energy efforts by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and a wind power project by Gemini Wind Energy Corp.
The Green Lane Policy has drawn praise both locally and abroad. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has commended the initiative for advancing business-friendly governance.
International lenders like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank have also expressed support, viewing the policy as a model that other local governments could follow and a potential benchmark for grant-based reforms.
Sources:
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2073181/northern-samar-establishes-green-lane-policy
https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/14/northern-samar-establishes-green-lane-policy