Transport and Logistics – WWW.EDC.NET.PH

22nd February 2024

Transforming Trade: The Intermodal Revolution in the Philippines’ Logistics Landscape

Intermodal Transportation is a transformative approach in the movement of goods, it is a significant progress towards enhancing the Philippines’ logistics infrastructure and advancing its global trade competitiveness.

It is defined as transporting goods in a single container using two or more modes of transportation (ex., rail and truck, airfreight, and sea freight). This innovative initiative will heighten efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the transportation of goods across the archipelago.

20th March 202327th June 2023

Regional Container Line (RCL) explores trade opportunities in BARMM

RCL Delegation (Abdul Razak Bin Atan, RCL Regional Head of South East Asia, Jess Sedano, RCL Philippine Country Representative, and Marlon de Guzman, General Manager of Eagle Express for South Philippines, RCL Agent) with BARMM Transport Minister Paisalin Tago, BARMM MOTC Director General Lai Maniri, EDC Transport Committee Chairman and RESPOND Chief of Party Dr. Henry Basilio, BARMM Business Council Chairman Atty. Ronald Torres, BARRM Board of Investments Governor Habib Ambolodto, Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) Director Joan Barrera, and representatives from the BARMM Economic Zone Authority and Polloc Freeport and Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA).

A delegation from the Regional Container Line (RCL), headed by its Mr. Abdul Razak Bin Atan (Regional Head of South East Asia) visited Cotabato City in February to assess the potential trade/cargo traffic to/from BARMM and its environs with the objective of establishing a shipping route between Singapore and Cotabato City. This effort is part of RCL’s initiative of expanding its service to the Philippines by looking at opportunities in Mindanao especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

17th March 202317th March 2023

Philippines’ VAT refund for Tourists expects to boost Tourism in 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the value-added tax refund program for tourists for implementation by 2024, which aims to attract more foreign visitors.

3rd February 2023

PH and China pact on Authorized Economic Operator Program

The Philippines and China pact on Authorized Economic Program (AEO) that offers incentives to traders who collaborate with customs administrations to improve supply chain security. The Agreement will allow both countries to have faster cargo clearance. The Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for the said partnership was signed during President Marcos’ state visit to China last January 3-5, 2023.

9th January 2023

PPA separates its regulatory and operational functions through Port Terminal Management Regulatory Framework

Through the Port Terminal Management Regulatory Framework (PTMRF), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) implemented the separation of its regulatory and operational functions by privatizing port operations.

PPA has so far privatized 19 ports that are major gateways and is in the process of privatizing more ports.

25th November 2022

DOTr considers decoupling conflicting functions of transport agencies

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista expressed that they are considering the decoupling of the conflicting regulatory and development functions of the key transport agencies, namely the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

5th October 20225th October 2022

PPA suspends port rate hikes and bidding

In compliance with the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to reduce transportation costs, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced the suspension of port rate hikes and bidding under its Port Terminal Management Regulatory Framework (PTMRF) to give way to its pending review.

In a PortCalls release, it was reported that Department of Transportation Undersecretary Elmer Sarmiento during the 2022 National Maritime Week Celebration also disclosed that PPA is reviewing the possibility to reduce its existing rates.

8th September 20228th September 2022

Business Organizations uphold the decoupling of the PPA

Business organizations, namely Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), and Supply Chain Management of the Philippines (SCMAP) once again expressed their support for the decoupling of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

8th August 20228th August 2022

IRIS Paoay shifts US voyage to intra-Asia service

Royal Cargo announces IRIS Paoay’s shift of US voyage to intra-Asia service, calling from the Philippines to Thailand and VietNam.

The IRIS Paoay is the first Philippine-flagged ship to sail directly in 30 years, and it has been catering long-haul exports to the US since its maiden voyage on September 23, 2021.

8th August 2022

Bills creating the transportation safety board gets a veto from PBBM

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. (PBBM) vetoed bills institutionalizing the Philippine Transportation Safety Board (PTSB).

The President dismissed the House Bill No. 9030 and Senate Bill No. 1077 – the bills creating PTSB – as it was deemed to duplicate the functions of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as well as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).