The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) gears up to implement Green Lanes for Strategic Investments under Executive Order (EO) 18, series of 2023. Said EO defines those that are aligned with the Philippine Development Plan or any equivalent national development plan and can be characterized by significant capital or investment in the country as a strategic investment.
The PNP-FEO led the CA-TT Writeshop for the awareness of concerned stakeholders on the application and processes of the Committee of the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC) in applying for exemptions and Certificate of Authority to Transport (CA-TT) during the gun ban period on every election.
COMELEC Resolution No. 10918 gives guidance on the Gun Ban policy for the Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE) 2023. Mr. Jay Anastacio, resource speaker from COMELEC explained the procedures and common denial grounds on the electronic filing of the CA-TT. After the online filing, the applicant receives notification of Incomplete Requirements if the applicant has unaccomplished or incomplete submission of documents. On the other hand, applicant receives the payment instruction notice with the application number and the processing fee once the application is verified and approved.
The said writeshop was led by PBGen Benjamin Silo Jr., Acting Director of the Civil Security Group (CSG), PBGen Leumar Abugan Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) Chief, PBGen Andrew Cayad, Deputy Director for Operations and Member and representative of the PNP in the CBFSC, PBGen Dominic Bedia, Deputy Director of the CSG, Col. Joel Bonavente Executive Director of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Atty Akia Co of COMELEC and and held at Camp Crame last 20 June 2023.
To assist PH exporters further, the EDC Networking Committee on Trade Policies and Procedures Simplification (EDC-NCTPPS) strongly advocates for the removal of PNP Controlled chemicals from the COMELEC Gun Ban (requiring for a CA-TT) as it is already highly regulated. The NCTPPS continuously initiate efforts in streamlining and harmonizing the procedures conforming to the East of Doing Business particularly on transporting PNP Controlled Chemicals during the Election Gun Ban period. AGPM
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a better synchronized and coordinated information and communication system (ICT) in economic zones last 18 May 2023,
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific cooperated on research for an electronic trade data exchange. The partnership falls under the UN Framework Agreement on Facilitating Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA). This UN treaty aims to expedite the implementation of digital trade facilitation measures for trade and development between ESCAP and the Philippine Bureau of Customs.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed that PBBM has allowed the creation of a single operating system for all government transactions to improve bureaucratic efficiency in the country and also as part of the ease of doing business program of the country in the sectoral meeting convened last 11 April 2023.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), together with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Philippine National Police-Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO), Landbank, and the Semiconductor industry, will create a Technical Working Group (TWG) to streamline and harmonize PNP processes on the application of the Certificate of Authority to Transport (CA-TT).
To boost export competitiveness of Philippine products, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) together with ARISE+ PH advocates for the nationwide information campaign on the implementation of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Program. Several countries, including Indonesia, Moldova, and the EU, shared their learnings and experiences on the AEO Program during the workshop.
The Senate concurred voting 20-1-1 on the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by far among Asia-Pacific nations, on 21 February 2023. The RCEP is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that aims to establish a modern, comprehensive, high-quality, and mutually beneficial economic partnership framework to liberalize and facilitate trade in goods and services. It will also create a liberal, facilitative, and competitive regional investment. Economists supported this, particularly the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, who is optimistic that this FTA will fuel the Philippines’ economic growth.
The Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the full implementation of the TradeNet system. This is a significant way forward in onboarding all 73 Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs).
The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) linked strong partnerships with the government towards economic growth. Mr. Sabin Aboitiz – PSAC Lead Convenor and President and CEO of Aboitiz Group, laid out the country’s economic policy directions with the government. The PSAC focuses on six sectors, mainly on 1) Digitalization, 2) Basic Infrastructure, 3) Agriculture, 4) Healthcare, 5) Tourism, and 6) Jobs.