Category Archives: Latest News

DTI highlights 10 Key Priorities for the Trade Industry 

The new Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, also the President of the Management of Association of the Philippines (MAP) highlights the ten (10) strategic priorities of the Department of Trade and Industry.

The key priorities aim to create opportunities for DTI and the private sector to work together for shared goals. These will also be the new administration’s focus on improving trade and industry, including export expansion believed to help in job generation and economic recovery in general. Continue reading DTI highlights 10 Key Priorities for the Trade Industry 

DICT intensifies the ICT Ecosystem adapting to pandemic impact

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) intensifies its programs/ action plans for developing the ICT Ecosystem to adapt to the impact of the pandemic and ensure various sectors’ capacity to participate in the country’s economic recovery.

Consistent with the Memorandum Circular. No. 27 that mandates the implementation of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP), the DICT shall provide support to 1) promotion of trade and investment opportunities, especially in the ICT and ICT-Enabled Services sectors, 2) push for the use of ICT to automate government regulatory processes, and 3) synchronize government systems to ensure ease of doing business.

Among the DICT initiatives to drive the development of the PH ICT ecosystem is the Digital Cities 2025 Project which aims to boost the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) Industry.

Moreover, through its ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB), the DICT will give startup founders access to government funding through the Digital Startup Development and Acceleration Program (DSDAP), which supports innovators and startups across the country.

DICT also boosts skills development programs such as (1) digitaljobsPH, which aims to provide basic digital literacy and intermediate ICT skills training in the countryside, allowing Filipinos to avail ICT-enabled jobs; (2)Tech4ED, which allows Filipinos to have access to shared facilities with various ICT-enabled services; (3) Digital Transformation Centers (DTCs), a venue where digital skills will be developed and acquired; (4) Digital Learners and Teachers Project to address pressing challenges in the delivery of basic education in the new normal; and the (5) ICT Academy Project under the Digital Workforce Initiative, a platform for upskilling and reskilling Filipinos.

Secretary Ivan John E. Uy presented the following DICT initiatives during the 43rd National Conference of Employees of Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) with the theme of “Reimagining the Future of Employment: From Policies to Actions” on 26 August 2022 at Mariott Hotel, Manila.

For updates and further information, visit the DICT website: https://dict.gov.ph.PKC

PBBM vows to streamline further the BOC processes

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM), in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), vows to promote streamlined processes in the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Exporters may look forward to a modernized customs administration with global standards during his administration.

BOC started the works and officially launched the Philippine Customs Modernization Program, reducing manual encoding and paper-based processes into complete computerized customs systems on 26 March 2021.  This modernization aims to streamline operations and processes by upgrading its systems, procedures, and operational activities. For more information, visit https://customs.gov.ph/philippine-customs-modernization-program/Continue reading PBBM vows to streamline further the BOC processes

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).

PCCI President George Barcelon, PHILEXPORT President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., and SCMAP President Pierre Curay, altogether signed a letter expressing their strong support for the House Bill (HB) No. 1400 filed by Rep. Bernadette Herrara-Dy, proposing to decouple the conflicting regulatory and commercial functions of the PPA.  Continue reading Business Organizations uphold the decoupling of the PPA

43rd NCE: Reimagining the Future of Employment from Policies to Action

Newly appointed Department Secretaries: Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia-Frasco, TESDA Director General Danilo Cruz, together with the DOTr Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development Atty. Timothy John Batan (presented on behalf of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista), presented their respective agencies’ policies, plans, and actions at the 43rd National Conference of Employers (NCE) with the theme “Reimagining the Future of Employment: From Policies to Actions”.

This annual event brings together business executives, key government partners, foreign investors, chambers of commerce, and industry leaders to discuss important and developing employment issues, triangular partnerships, worker welfare, economic programs, and difficulties in the workplace. The conference addresses job creation, preservation, and transformation under the concept of “employment generation as a recovery strategy.”  Continue reading 43rd NCE: Reimagining the Future of Employment from Policies to Action

HOR supports new Administration Priorities and Gameplans for Economic Recovery 

Hon. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Speaker of the House of Representatives (HOR), presented the new Administration’s Economic Legislative Agenda: Priorities and Gameplans at the PCCI General Membership Meeting on 04 August 2022 at Makati Diamond Residences.

Speaker Romualdez highlighted several goals and initiatives of the New Administration, i.e., job creation, poverty reduction, food security, reduction of transport and logistics cost, as well as energy costs to families, addressing health concerns, strengthening of social protection programs in terms of face to face classes, enhance bureaucratic efficiency, and sound fiscal management.  Continue reading HOR supports new Administration Priorities and Gameplans for Economic Recovery 

ARTA issues the National Policy on Regulatory Management System (NPRMS)

ARTA crafted an issuance in relation to the National Policy on Regulatory Management System (NPRMS). The objective of such is to formulate a common framework for good regulatory practice for regulators at all stages of the regulatory life cycle.

The NPRMS will also lay down the implementing guidelines and procedures for the implementation of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) requirement pursuant to Sections 5 and 17 of Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. Continue reading ARTA issues the National Policy on Regulatory Management System (NPRMS)

DTI reconfigures export sectors into Industry Clusters 

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) new Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual presented the DTI’s ten strategic priorities during the second cabinet meeting on 12 July 2022, presided by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos, Jr.

Among the strategic priorities is the reconfiguration of the export sector into industry clusters, with a focus on the following: (1) Industrial, Manufacturing, and Transport (IMT) which encompasses aerospace (aircraft interiors; maintenance, repair, and overhaul), automotive (electric vehicles), semiconductors; (2) Technology, Media, and Telecommunication (TMT), that covers digitalization services, IT-BPM, artificial intelligence and data analytics, cybersecurity, hyper-scale data centers, creative industries; (3) and Health and Life Science (HLS), for biopharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services.  Continue reading DTI reconfigures export sectors into Industry Clusters 

CBW Automated Inventory Management System (AIMS) to go live on 18 July 2022 

In line with the full implementation of CMO 20-2021 and AOCG Memo No. 199-2022, Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group Deputy Commissioner Edward James Dy Buco issued AOCG Memo 229-2022, directing all Collection districts and offices concerned to the full implementation of the Automated Inventory Management System (AIMS) as it will go live on 18 July 2022.

The customs operations officer shall process the Warehousing Goods Declaration SAD (WAD) accepted in the E2M System. They must ensure that all CBWs are registered in the AIMS. Additionally, the AIMS was created to enhance CBWs and ease the job of paperwork, manual encoding, and sorting, incorrect cargo releases, non-visibility of cargo status for importers, and slow reporting. It is also mandated to generate real-time and accurate information on the status of goods received, stored, and withdrawn from off-dock and off-terminal accredited customs facilities and warehouses. Continue reading CBW Automated Inventory Management System (AIMS) to go live on 18 July 2022