The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), in adherence to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and a key recommendation from the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), successfully hosted a multi-sectoral consultation to fast-track the creation of a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) for the semiconductor industry. The goal is to consolidate and streamline complex permitting and licensing processes crucial for the sector’s rapid growth and stability.
The consultation, organized under ARTA’s flagship National Effort for the Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Interrelated Agencies (NEHEMIA) program, brought together 14 national government agencies (NGAs) and two local government units (LGUs). The semiconductor sector is a high-priority under NEHEMIA, recognizing its vital role in the global chip supply chain. The initiative also received valuable support from the British Embassy Manila (BEM), underscoring the international significance of this streamlining effort.
Held at the ARTA office in Diliman, Quezon City, the session served as an essential platform for stakeholders to identify and collaboratively address regulatory challenges and bottlenecks observed in current licensing procedures. Agencies, including the DTI-Board of Investments (BOI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and several others across trade, security, and local governance (such as the City Governments of Taguig and Muntinlupa), delivered presentations on their respective processes.
The whole-of-government approach focused on clarifying required permits, discussing existing friction points, and gathering regulatory feedback. The consultation concluded with a decisive agreement for all participating agencies to submit a comprehensive summary of their permitting and licensing processes. This summary will serve as the core preparatory document for the crucial Whole-of-Government Reengineering and Process Streamlining Workshop, scheduled to be held from December 10–12, 2025, at the UP AyalaLand TechnoHub.
This unified effort marks a significant step toward creating a more efficient, predictable, and investor-friendly regulatory environment for the Philippines’ semiconductor industry, ensuring the country remains a competitive and reliable global player.
