Author: Jobelle Alzate

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and Department of Finance (DOF) jointly presented the draft Joint Administrative Order (JAO) to concerned stakeholders. This aims to regulate the local charges imposed by international shipping lines and provide measures to address port congestion.

The issue on excessive and questionable charges levied by some international shipping lines escalated since February 2017 and numerous meetings and forums have been conducted to discuss the recommendations from both the government and private sector.

The JAO was crafted to promote efficient operation of country’s ports and facilitate the importation and exportation of goods to promote more investments. It is also viewed to address the concern of stakeholders on high utilization at Manila ports and difficulty in returning the empty containers to container depots.

After the JAO is signed, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) shall craft and issue their own orders to implement the said joint order.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to revise its plan to develop a Roll-On, Roll-Off (RoRo) transportation system, during the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation oversight committee meeting, which aimed to determine how the government can improve the country’s RoRo system.

Speaker Arroyo ascertained that most of the proposed routes were already operational under the DOTr’s Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP). For instance, she said that most of the 30 proposed routes are either an existing port facilities or being served by shipping lines in nearby ports.

Cited example was the proposed Jagna, Camiguin to Cagayan de Oro route by the DOTr which is already being serviced by a shipping line.

During the hearing, Arroyo recommended to DOTr to give missionary routes to shipping lines to address the problem of unserved ports due to lack of operators. A missionary route is an incentive given to a shipping line to service a new route exclusively for five (5) years.

The RoRo transport system was one of GMA Administration’s priority programs to ensure fast and economical movement of goods and people, and to boost domestic tourism and trade.

During the said administration in 2003, 49 RoRo routes from Luzon to Mindanao were established. However, most of the RoRo projects approved during that time were cancelled by the Aquino Administration.

The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to revive the RoRo system citing it importance to trade and tourism. Today, there are a total 140 RoRo routes all over the country cutting travel time, promoting tourism and increasing trade.

DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral presented in the recently concluded Arangkada Philippine Forum 2018 the convergence programs with other government agencies like DOT, DTI- BOI and DA that will further fuel high growth of domestic investments as well as the surge in foreign direct investments of the country.

Undersecretary Cabral highlighted the masterplan of the Metro Manila Logistics Improvement Program that will enhance the road connectivity around Metro Manila. In addition to the 26 existing bridges crossing Pasig River, Marikina River, and Manggahan Floodway, 12 new bridges will be constructed to provide alternative linkages between major thoroughfares and increase the number of usable roadways that will decongest traffic in Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and other major roads in Metro Manila.

On seaports and shipping, high cost of international and domestic shipping translates to high cost of consumer goods. Hence, Ms. Doris Magsaysay-Ho, president and chief executive officer of Magsaysay Group of Companies, recommends the creation of manufacturing and industry clusters in each region to create trade volumes, lower shipping costs, and make the country competitive. These clusters, she noted, should be developed close to port and airport infrastructures and be designed to make handling products more efficient.

On air, Senator Grace Poe pointed out the P350B NAIA Consortium project that will rehabilitate, expand, operate, and maintain the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for 35 years. Also, she mentioned the unsolicited proposal of Bulacan Airport that is one of the two gateways being prioritized by the government to decongest NAIA’s three terminals, which have been operating over their capacity.

On telecommunications, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is hoping to fix the dysfunctional dynamics of the infrastructure development by fostering liberalization and competition through reform legislation.

These measures include amendments to the 80-year-old Public Services Act to clarify the definition of public utilities as only those public services which are natural monopolies by nature. This is being sought by Senate Bill No. 1754. He also clarified that easing the country’s foreign investment restrictions is not meant to favor foreign firms over domestic players.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, Senator Gatchalian pointed out that the Philippines continues to lag behind its ASEAN neighbors in terms of capturing foreign investments due to the country’s relatively restrictive and less competitive economic policies.  (MJA)

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 improve connectivity and boost international trade, the ASEAN RoRo will be launched on 30 April 2017 in Davao City. The maiden voyage send-off ceremony will be led by President Duterte and Indonesian President Widodo.

The new RoRo route will sail to Davao-General Santos-Bitung, Indonesia (D-G-B), a more cost and time-efficient alternative to the usual Manila-Jakarta-Bitung route. It is expected to lessen the cost of shipping by almost US$1,500 per Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU). It will also shorten the shipping time from three-five weeks to only one day and a half of sailing plus port stay. Continue reading “ASEAN RoRo to boost Philippines- Indonesia trade”