DOE Advisory No. RESHERR-1: Moratorium on the Obligations of Renewable Energy Projects in the Pre-Development and Pre-Construction Phase

On 06 June 2023, the Department of Energy (“DOE”) issued Advisory No. RESHERR-1 (“Advisory”) where the DOE granted a moratorium on the processing of Safety Officer’s Permit (“SOP”) applications and the corresponding obligations provided in DOE Department Circular No. DC2012-11-0009 or the Renewable Energy Safety, Health and Environment Rules and Regulations (“RESHERR”) in relation to Renewable Energy (“RE”) Projects which are in the Pre-Development Stage and Pre-Construction Phase (the “Projects”). All SOP applications on such categories which were filed before the posting of the Advisory shall be put on hold until such time that a revised RESHERR is issued. 

The Advisory also provides that from the date after the posting of the Advisory and until the DOE issues a revised RESHERR, employers engaged in the Projects need not comply with the pertinent duties and obligations provided in the RESHERR. 

The DOE likewise imposed a moratorium on the issuance or renewal of SOP relating to the Projects. The processing of applications for SOP relating to the Projects, which were filed and/or pending before the posting of the Advisory, shall be put on hold until the issuance of a revised RESHERR.

RE stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments and recommendations on the amendment of the RESHERR through email at remb9513@doe.gov.ph and geothermaldivision@gmail.com on or before 07 July 2023 using the template attached in the Advisory.