The Philippine National Police-Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) suspends the ‘Payment first before issuance of Permit to Unload (PTU)’ policy in a Memorandum dated 03 April 2020 ‘Leniency on Policy of Payment for Permit to Unload in Time of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ)’ followed by a letter dated 06 April 2020, clarifying further the instructions for its implementation. Continue reading “ECQ Bayanihan: PNP-FEO expedites issuance of PTU”
Customs implements globally accredited ‘AEO Program’ thru CMO 9-2020
In response for the country’s commitment to the World Customs Organization SAFE framework, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) issued CMO 9-2020 “Implementing the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program Established Under CAO 5-2017 for Importers and Exporters” last 16 March 2020. Said memorandum revokes, amends, or modifies CMO 11-2012 and CMO 14-2013 to further beef up the AEO program. Continue reading “Customs implements globally accredited ‘AEO Program’ thru CMO 9-2020”
Transport & Logistics Stakeholders air recommendations to facilitate flows of goods amidst COVID-19
The issues and challenges faced by the transport and logistics sector were discussed last 15 April 2020, during the 3rd eForum of #ResilenceAndRecoveryPH with the topic “Local and Global Supply Chains: Quick Assessment and Ways Forward”. Continue reading “Transport & Logistics Stakeholders air recommendations to facilitate flows of goods amidst COVID-19”
NEDA’s Supply Chain Plan Gets a GO from IATF
The National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) plan gets a GO, pursuant to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Resolution No. 24 dated 15 April 2020 – acquiring the approval to develop a Supply Chain Analytics (SCAn) dashboard, and to conduct a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). Continue reading “NEDA’s Supply Chain Plan Gets a GO from IATF”
Quality Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) to enhance the Philippine trade environment
A forum on “Moving Towards Quality Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) was conducted to advance the goal of quality NTMs in the country, its relevance, and issues stemming from it. It aims to provide updates on measures taken by the government arising from the results of the business survey on NTMs conducted by the International Trade Center (ITC) in 2016, collaborate with key private sector stakeholders on moving towards quality NTMs noting current industry accounts on trade facilitation. In addition, it also aims to foster knowledge and experience sharing among different government agencies that carry out NTMs and its formulation and implementation. Finally, to review the current governance and set gears for an inter-agency collaboration on NTMs. Continue reading “Quality Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) to enhance the Philippine trade environment”
BOC addresses ECQ accreditation order thru OCOM Memo No. 62-2020
On March 17, further operational guidelines under the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) concerning the implementation of the “Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ)”, ordered that “All government agencies in the Executive Branch are hereby directed to issue accreditation orders to identify their respective skeletal workforces for critical services operating during the duration of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon…” Continue reading “BOC addresses ECQ accreditation order thru OCOM Memo No. 62-2020 “
DA assigns regular personnel in OSEDC
The Department of Agriculture (DA) issued Special Order No. 189, s. 2020, assigning regular personnel of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) at the One Stop Export Documentation Center (OSEDC) in Pasay City. Job Order (JO) personnel will also be retained to ensure continuity of service in BFAR-OSEDC. Continue reading “DA assigns regular personnel in OSEDC”
Electronics and Services exports forecast bullish performance in 2020
“The services export is continuously growing, thus, total exports are projected to increase in single digit percentage.” Export Development Council (EDC) Executive Director Senen M. Perlada reported during the EDC Meeting last 06 February 2020. Continue reading “Electronics and Services exports forecast bullish performance in 2020”
DTI and DA forges strong partnership to increase export of agribased products
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture (DA) show strong support to boost export of agribased products with high global demand. Secretary William Dar of the DA during the Export Development Council (EDC) meeting acknowledged that partnership between DA and DTI is significant in order to supply the demand of export market and to develop other potential crops for export.
EDC Executive Director Senen Perlada reported that DTI- Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) has identified four (4) agribased products that have high global demand namely calamansi, ube, pili and mango. He suggested to Secretary Dar that the propagation of these products be included in the DA’s programs. Mr. Ferdie Marañon, EDC representative from Mindanao also raised during the said meeting that there is a recurring problem with the production of cardava (saba) in their region citing that small farmers of cavendish have limited knowledge in growing this variety of banana.
In response, Secretary Dar emphasized that the DA is assisting small farmers by their provision of seedlings and conduct of trainings in growing and production of “saba”. He added that Php50Million was earmarked for the seedlings. Moreover, Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) is available to finance projects and activities that will help enhance the competitiveness of the agriculture sector. This fund is specifically designed for MSMEs for their capital outlay expenditure and other similar expenses. – PKC
New route for Mindanao Exporters Promoted
Exporters from Mindanao are encouraged to explore the Davao-Manado route for transporting their goods and products, specifically food products (both fresh and processed) for a more cost-effective and shorter route (from 5 weeks to 13 days). This was presented during a meeting hosted by Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia, Amb. Leechiong T. Wee, as both countries – the Philippines and Indonesia are also trying to explore ways to resume the Davao-GenSan-Bitung route with a Manila-based shipping company.
The new route is being used and touted as an express line for direct to market shipping route by the Reefer Express Line, Inc., a new player that plans to begin operating the new route within the first half of this year. But operations will commence depending on the negotiations between the shipping company and exporters from both countries.
The shipping company also revealed its plan to serve the new route with additional calls on other ports not only in Indonesia but also in Malaysia and Brunei en route to Singapore. However, the company said that they have yet to discuss the final details with other shippers from the Philippines, Indonesia and other players from Malaysia.
Moreover, the new route was considered a priority of the current administration and the Indonesian government, citing that Manado is the main gateway of Indonesia to the Philippines. Hence, the call for exporters to explore the new route and the services of Reefer Express Line, Inc. – GTM