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Mandatory training for new exporters recommended

PEDP 2018-2022 Stakeholders Engagement in CALABARZON
“First time exporters need to undergo training and seminars before they can apply for Client Profile Registration System (CPRS),” says CALABARZON experienced exporters  This was aired during the Stakeholders Engagement to implement the Philippine Export Development Plan 2018-2022. Existing exporters advise aspiring exporters to first  learn, not only the market requirements, but also the Philippine government’s requirements and procedures before making their first shipment,  thus  sparing them of the problems that the former have encountered.

The CPRS is an application that  registers exporters to access the e2M system of the Bureau of Customs. Export transactions cannot be processed unless the exporter is registered in the CPRS.

Capacitating exporters through  trainings and seminars on domestic and international regulations, policies and trends  will also help exporters exploit existing and prospective bilateral, regional, and multilateral trading agreements.

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Bill separates the regulatory and commercial functions of PPA

House Bill (HB) No. 8005 seeks to separate the regulatory and commercial functions of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and create a new port agency called Philippine Ports Corporation (PHILPORTS) will focus on developing, managing, and operating public ports.

The bill also proposes to transfer the regulatory functions of the PPA to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

Representative Arthur Yap, author of HB 8005, aims to reform the country’s ports administration to avoid conflict of interest arising from regulatory agencies vested with both regulatory and development or commercial functions.

If enacted, PHILPORTS will collect port fees and dues approved by MARINA, which will fund port development, modernization, and expansion, among others.
PHILPORTS will become more of a service provider than a revenue generating entity. It is not envisioned as earning revenue from cargo handling and/or any service providers contracted by PHILPORTS.

As such, it shall continuously give utmost priority and importance to public service delivery and promotion of public interest. It also addresses the problems of port users (domestic shippers, exporters and importers) such as low service quality, inefficient port operations and ever-increasing port charges.

Under HB 8005, it will be governed by a 15-member Board, which includes representatives from both the government and the private sector.
The Export Development Council together with other stakeholders has been stressing the need for such policy reform to lower the cost of port services for shippers that will eventually benefit the consumers.

To download a copy of the bill, please click House Bill No. 8005.
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Heightened Industry-Government-Academe partnership increases employment and improve international competitiveness

“Since the inception of the industry-government-academe linkage, there is now greater participation and partnerships between companies and universities in the implementation of this reform at ground level.”  This was reported by Mr. Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation (PHILEXPORT) and Vice-Chair of the Export Development Council (EDC), during the  recently concluded 8th National Education Forum.

The industry leader cited both the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) and the Electronics industries as models for industry-government-academe partnership. They have been adopting and implementing the said reform in order for them to address their jobs-skills mismatch and make their respective industries become more globally competitive.

To date, The BPO employs 1.3 million people last year and is expected to grow up to 1.7 billion within the year, while the electronics industry employs 3.2. million direct and indirect workers.  In addition, both industries have established work immersion and internship programs as well as various industry-based programs that promote employment.

Ortiz-Luis, Jr, later explained that responding to the global realities and domestic demands would require a balance between what is being demanded by the labor market and what is being supplied by the education and training sector. He added that there is need to respond to the challenges posed by globalization, trade liberalization, information and technological advancement, international cooperation and agreements.

He continued that “globalization, includes among others, freer and borderless movement of capital goods, services, technology, information and human resource development between and among countries. Thus, the rapid change in information and communication technology directly impacts on the way work is being organized and executed, how products are being manufactured and shipped, and how systems and processes are implemented”.