Shippers ordered to ascertain VGM of their containers

Shippers are now responsible for obtaining and documenting the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of their containers, as ordered by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in AO No. 02-2021.

The Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of Mandatory Weighing of Export Containers (PPA AO No. 02-2021), in compliance with the SOLAS regulations, requires the shippers to verify the gross mass of the packed container by weighing using calibrated and certified equipment or calculating the sum of single masses.

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Landbank’s YESAP to aid emerging youth MSME agri-entrepreneurs

The Land Bank of the Philippines is the country’s premier government financial institution which provides services that help promote countryside development while remaining financially viable. One of its major services is to provide credit assistance to small farmers and fisherfolk.

The Yes! to Agriculture Program (YESAP) is a product offered by Landbank to youth (18-35 years old) MSME agri-entrepreneurs to help them to engage in viable and sustainable agribusiness projects such as agricultural and fishery production and trading, processing, servicing, and distribution of agricultural crops and commodities.

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BOC urges use of New Certificate of Origin Form D starting 16 June 2021

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced that exporters must use the new Certificate of Origin (CO) Form D starting on 16 June 2021. Exporters may access it at the BOC Customer Care Center (CCC) to process their export goods among ASEAN Member States (AMS). 

Further, informing stakeholders that starting 01 August 2021, the old CO Form D will no longer be accepted by the AMS. For more details, you may reach the BOC-Export Coordination Division at ecd@customs.gov.ph. – MRJ

BOC implements alternative Prepayment System in addition to PASS5

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) implements an alternative Prepayment System (BPS) to pay duties, taxes and other charges for all goods declaration lodged through the Electronic to Mobile (E2M) system. The BPS in compliance with the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), will only allow Exporters and importers to register an account for transaction payment purposes.  Funds in the said account cannot be withdrawn but can be transferred to other prepayment accounts of the same holder’s name. 

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Use of existing Broker’s prepaid accounts allowed until 15 June 2021

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) extends the use of existing prepaid accounts until 15 June 2021. Said account is used in paying duties, taxes, and other charges for all goods declaration lodged through the Electronic to Mobile (E2M) system. Accountholders are still allowed to deposit and consume balance in existing prepaid accounts within the said period. 

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Bareboat chartering possible to address lack of vessel spaces

Dr. Enrico Basilio, Chairman of the Export Development Council’s Networking Committee on Transport and Logistics (EDC-NCTL), called for support for bareboat chartering by the Filipino Shipowners Association (FSA) to address the issue of lack of vessel spaces.

Bareboat chartering is defined as leasing an entire vessel under an agreement whereby the lessor only provides the bare vessel. The vessel’s operation is not included in the lease; hence the charterer must arrange for the staffing of the Ship’s Captain and its crew.

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New JMC prompt LGUs NOT to Impose Fees and Taxes on the transport of goods and products

A Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) was issued to prompt local government units (LGUs) not to impose fees and taxes relative to the transport of goods and products. It is a tripartite effort by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), with the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Bureau of Local Government Supervision (DILG-BLGS), and Department of Finance-Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOF-BLGF).

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Amendment of Public Service Act aimed to be passed in Duterte administration

The bill amending the Public Service Act is aimed to be passed within the remaining term of the Duterte Administration.

Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Dominguez reported during his Sulong Pilipinas 2021 speech that to fully liberalize the Philippine economy, amendments to the Foreign Investments Act, The Public Service Act, and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act will be pushed through as these three bills are certified as urgent by the President.

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House Committee on Transportation pushes bills URGENT to address high international shipping cost

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 The House Committee on Transportation pushes house bills as URGENT to regulate international shipping line charges in the Philippines.
 
The issue of high shipping cost has been a long-standing problem in the country, and house bills 4462 and 4316 acknowledge that it has been prevailing since not one agency once stepped in and addressed it.
 
House Bill 4462 sponsored by Rep. Ong, once passed, will vest the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) the power to promote fair and transparent destination and other shipping charges among forwarders and agents of international shipping lines.

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