DTI-EMB, PHILEXPORT and EDC gear up for the National Export Congress 2018

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Export Marketing Bureau, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) and the Export Development Council leads the conduct of the 2018 National Export Congress (NEC). NEC is the highlight of the week-long celebration of the National Exporter’s Week (NEW). This year’s theme, “SPICE Up to Scale Up! (Stimulate. Permeate. Innovate. Connect. Expand!)”, is consistent with the thrust for the Philippine export industry to be at the cutting edge of innovation and connectivity as a competitiveness strategy.

Over 700 delegates including exporters, business support organizations, policy makers, and academe will convene at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City on 07 December 2018 for the annual NEC. The event will have discussions on various topics such as global outlook and prospects for Philippine exports, expanding market, ease of doing business, industry-led innovation and connectivity. Export Enablers Exhibit and Logistics Fair will also transpire during the event which will showcase the services of government clearance agencies, financing institutions, Halal certifying bodies and logistic providers.

The NEC is the main activity of the National Exporters’ Week (NEW). The first week of December is declared as the Exporters’ Week per Presidential Proclamation 931, Series of 1996 and House Resolution 33, in order to obtain total commitment of the government and the private sector to continuously work together to sustain and maintain export promotion and development.

Also part of the week-long NEW celebration is the conduct of Usapang Exports, an information sessions under the DTI-EMB’s Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP), on 03-05 December 2018 and the conduct of Logistics Summit organized by the DTI-Competitiveness Bureau (CB) on 06 December 2018. (MDGTD)

Senator Gatchalian pushes for postponement of implementation of coal tax

Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy, is pushing to postpone raising taxes on coal until a policy allowing consumers to choose their energy source has been adopted. The proposed coal tax is included in the pending tax reform bill or Senate Bill 1592 which is up for discussion at the Congress bicameral conference committee.

SB 1592 proposes raising coal excise tax from the current ₱10 per metric ton to ₱100 in 2018, ₱200 in 2019, and ₱300 in 2020. If the excise tax is approved, an average consumer using 200kwh/month will have to pay an extra ₱4.78 per month in the first year. This will increase to ₱14.35 per month in the second and ₱28.70 per month in the third year. He added that compared to other tax hikes in the TRAIN bill, consumers do not have a choice when it comes to using electricity.

Senator Gatchalian noted that the government can implement the Senate’s proposed coal tax increase once the retail competition and open access (RCOA) system is in place. RCOA is the retail competition open access in which when the consumer will be given the power to choose, to buy wherever he wants. The RCOA is one of the provisions under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).

Senator Gatchalian cited the proposal as an unfair imposition since there will be a slowdown in the growth of manufacturing sector with its dependency on electricity.  – Ma. Divine Grace T. Derez