TACLOBAN CITY – In a bold move to position itself as a business-friendly and investment-ready province, Northern Samar has institutionalized the country’s first green lane policy, streamlining business processes to attract strategic and sustainable investments.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan signed Ordinance No. 7, series of 2025, into law on June 13, during an investment forum held in celebration of the province’s 60th founding anniversary. The event was attended by investors and development partners.
“This is more than just an efficiency upgrade,” Ongchuan said. “It marks our shift to a governance model that champions responsiveness, accountability, and sustainability.”
The green lane policy, conceptualized by Ongchuan and implemented through the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office headed by Jhon Allen Berbon, introduces a “single point of entry” system. This means all investment proposals will first be assessed at the provincial level before being coordinated with the relevant municipal governments—cutting red tape and expediting approvals.
Key features of the ordinance include simultaneous permit processing to replace sequential workflows; authority granted to the province to issue permits for strategic projects, especially in renewable energy; fiscal incentives such as exemptions from business taxes, real property taxes, and permit fees for up to five years;
Non-fiscal incentives include investor servicing assistance, marketing support, and aftercare programs.
The initiative has gained both national and international recognition.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has cited the policy twice—as a benchmark for ease of doing business. It has also received praise from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank as a potential model for other LGUs and a foundation for future policy-based grants.
With this landmark policy, Northern Samar is rebranding itself—from a traditionally underserved area to a rising hub for sustainable investment in Eastern Visayas.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
