THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Sunday expressed full support for a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) aimed at streamlining the entry of strategic investments in the country, especially in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
The JMC, which was signed in June, incorporates provisions from 2023’s Executive Order (EO) 18, which established green lanes to fast-track the processing of registrations, permits and licenses for major investment projects.
The circular likewise involves the assistance of 38 national government agencies — including the departments of Trade and Industry, Finance and the Interior and Local Government, and the Bureau of Customs — to further boost the Investment Facilitation Network (INFA-Net).
Strengthened inter-agency coordination will reduce bureaucratic delays and guarantee the timely evaluation and approval of strategic investments, the DA said.
“This JMC is a significant step forward in our commitment to making it easier for investors to do business in the Philippines’ agri-fishery sector. We are creating an environment that attracts investment and drives inclusive rural development,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.
Under the JMC, the DA will facilitate investments in agribusiness, agricultural mechanization, food security and rural infrastructure. The DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service will lead a dedicated INFA-Net Focal Unit, with help from the Policy Research Service, to ensure compliance and timely coordination.
The JMC aligns with the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, the DA said.
“This initiative doesn’t just target investors,” Tiu Laurel said. “It’s also about uplifting our farmers and fisherfolk, generating rural employment, and ensuring long-term food security for the nation.”
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