The provincial government of Northern Samar is enthusiastic about the recent enactment of a law that established a green lane system, which has successfully drawn 14 significant investments to the region. Jhon Allen Berbon, the head of the provincial economic development and investment promotions office, shared in a recent phone interview that the green lane system was already in operation months before the bill was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee on December 3. Berbon emphasized that while the bill was still under consideration, the province was actively implementing the system and attracting major investments.
The green lane system was established earlier this year in accordance with Executive Order No. 18, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in February 2023. Officially known as the Northern Samar One-Stop-Action Center for Strategic Investment, this system, supported by the Board of Investments (BOI), aims to simplify the process of obtaining business permits and licenses in Northern Samar. Berbon highlighted that the streamlined processes are designed to minimize bureaucratic obstacles and enhance efficiency, positioning the province as a prime destination for investment opportunities.
Among the key investors that have utilized the green lane are TAO Corporation for hybrid rice farming, Sea Trace for an ice plant and tuna buying station, Fisher Farms Inc. for aquaculture development, Cebu Ricordi Inc. for handicraft and green manufacturing, LBS Digital Infrastructure Corp. for common towers, Lihangin Wind Energy Corp. for wind power, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners for offshore wind energy. Additional investments include a tidal energy project by Energies Ph. Inc., a resource assessment and mapping project by Ocean Energy Pathway, a wind power project by Envision & Vivant, another resource assessment and mapping project by Inyanga Marine Energy Corp., a solar energy project by Ranyag Tech, a hydroelectric power project by EB Tech, and a wind power project by Gemini Wind Energy Corp.
The Board of Investments has praised Northern Samar for setting up a one-stop shop that streamlines the process of obtaining business permits and licenses at the local level, making it more efficient and investor-friendly.