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
The online filing, processing, and payment of port charges and other related fees is now made mandatory through a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC). With the JMC, it is now mandatory for all port users to file their applications online for permits and clearances for the release of cargoes from PPA, BOC, and other port operators including International Container Terminals Services, Inc. (ICTSI), Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI), and Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc. (HCPTI); and payment of corresponding fees shall be done through the accredited banks and payment channels.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) issued Department Order (DO) 2020-009 to minimize demurrage charges.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), under their DO 2020-007, requires domestic shipping lines to provide cargo space allocation not less than 12% of their vessel’s cargo capacity per voyage for agricultural and food products. This also enjoins all domestic shipping lines to extend a discount of not less than 40% from their published shipping rates for all cargoes on agricultural and food products covered by the DO.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation Inc., Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (UPPAF-RESPOND) has officially turned over the Supply Chain Analytics (SCAn) Dashboard and launched the Incident Reporter Mobile Application last 21 May 2020 at the National Incident Command Center in Camp Aguinaldo.
The issues and challenges faced by the transport and logistics sector were discussed last 15 April 2020, during the 3rd eForum of #ResilenceAndRecoveryPH with the topic “Local and Global Supply Chains: Quick Assessment and Ways Forward”.
The National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) plan gets a GO, pursuant to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Resolution No. 24 dated 15 April 2020 – acquiring the approval to develop a Supply Chain Analytics (SCAn) dashboard, and to conduct a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA).
In a recent pronouncement, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez stated that the Departments of Trade and Industry, Transportation and Finance will issue the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) that will regulate local charges imposed by international shipping lines.
The Department of Tourism recognizes the importance of developing domestic airports in improving competitiveness and enhancing sustainable growth both in tourism and trade. It is also highlighted that the airports are not just gateways but more of economic growth drivers. This objective is included in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP).
During the 4th Annual Philippine Airport Modernization and Expansion Summit, DOT Undersecretary Arturo Boncato, Jr. shared that the tourism sector generated more than 5 million employment and 12.2% contribution to GDP in 2017. Initial data shows that there are about $ 8 billion income generated from tourist arrivals in 2018.