REVENUE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 49-2021 issued on April 8, 2021 circularizes Republic Act (RA) No. 11517, titled “An Act Authorizing the President to Expedite the Processing of National and Local Permits, Licenses and Certifications in Times of National Emergency”.
           Notwithstanding any law, decree, order or ordinance to the contrary, the President, in times of national emergency shall have the authority to:
            a. Accelerate and streamline regulatory processes and procedures for new and pending
      applications and renewals of permits, licenses, clearances, certifications orauthorizations, including fixing or shortening the periods provided for under existing laws, regulations, issuances, and ordinances;
            b. Suspend or waive the requirements in securing such permits, licenses, clearances,                               certifications or authorizations; and
             c. In consultation with or upon the recommendation of the affecte government agencies,                      may  prescribe to be permanent the streamlined regulatory processes and procedures, and                 the suspension or waiver of the requirements in securing permits, licenses, clearances,
             and certifications or authorizations:
            Provided, That the authority granted under subparagraphs (a), (b), and (c) ofSection 2 of the RA shall not be used to undermine the existing procedures andprocesses, under applicable laws, rules and regulations, meant to protect theenvironment, especially those that aim to safeguard protected areas and its buffer zones,and environmentally critical areas