The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) launched Program NEHEMIA for the Logistics Sector, making it the third sector launched among the five identified sectors under the program.

ARTA’s Program for National Effort for the Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Inter-Related Agencies (NEHEMIA) is a sectoral-based streamlining effort aimed to reduce time, costs, requirements, and procedures in the government sector. One of the five identified sectors is the logistics sector, along with the common towers and interconnectivity sector, the housing sector, the food pharmaceutical sector, and the energy sector.

One initiative under this program is the replacement of multiple stickers on trucks/cargoes with a unified logistics pass in the form of QR code that will be issued by LTFRB. ARTA’s Deputy Director General and EDC-NCTL’s Co-Chair Atty. Ernesto Perez elaborated, “The cargo that will be issued of this pass will be recognized by the ports, and also by other government agencies and LGUs, allowing it unimpeded from its point of origin to its point of destination”.  Moreover, he added that they “will make sure that there will be no duplication of requirements.”, and there will be a substantial reduction in the steps of the procedure to 73%, and the number of days processing from 271 days to 35 days (87% reduction) for land transport only.

This system is also said to be integrated with the Central Business Portal and BOC’s E-TRACC System.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade expresses the Department’s full support and commitment to the project, reiterating that its objectives are aligned with their goals to remove red tape and reduce processing time.

Other than Sec. Tugade, DTI Secretary Lopez, DILG Undersecretary Densing, and Cabinet Secretary Nograles also graced the event and expressed support through their speeches. As CabSec Nograles stated, “The development of issuance of a unified logistics pass will allow free and faster movement of goods from point to point. On the other end, we hope to achieve the target of a 52% decrease in steps, requirements, cost, and time for government services in the logistics sector and eliminate the silo system and the lack of interconnection among agencies. This is aligned under the Philippine Development Plan, ensuring people-centered, clean, and efficient governance, specifically on achieving interoperability of government processes of becoming one connected government.”

“The train of red-tape is indeed on the move; inside it are the hopes and aspirations of the Filipino people for a more streamlined, and e-governance centered government.”, said ARTA Director-General Jeremiah Belgica.

This initiative “will not just lessen the cost of transport, this will also give more employment opportunities to help our MSMEs. It is also seen to lessen the price of commodities, benefiting not only the country but the people whom we owe our loyalty and service as public servants.”, added Deputy Director General Perez. KJDA