The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is directing local government units to streamline the application process for net-metering installations, part of a national effort to accelerate the shift toward renewable energy.

The directive follows the signing of Joint Memorandum Circular No. 001, series of 2026, by the DILG, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Public Works and Highways. The circular aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s mandate to diversify the country’s energy sources and reduce costs for consumers.

Net metering, established under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, allows households and businesses with solar panels or other renewable systems to sell excess electricity back to the power grid.

Under the new guidelines, local governments must standardize processing timelines to comply with the Ease of Doing Business Law. Electrical permit applications must now be processed within three working days, while Certificates of Final Electrical Inspection must be issued within seven working days.

The circular enforces a “no additional requirements” policy, prohibiting local offices from demanding documents beyond those specified in the national guidelines. Applications not acted upon within the prescribed periods will be “deemed approved.”

The DILG also encouraged local leaders to adopt digital filing systems and internal data-sharing to reduce delays. The department will monitor compliance through an online monitoring system and conduct capacity-building workshops for local officials to ensure the new timelines are met.