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.
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Category Archives: Trade Policy & Procedures Simplification
BIR mandated to handle DOF OSS on tax credit and duty drawback
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on his administration’s policy in right sizing bureaucracy, and on the recommendation of Sec. Benjamin Diokno ordered the abolishment of the DOF (Inter-Agency Tax Credit and Duty Drawback Center) OSS Center) and transfers the mandate to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC), to assure the orderly and expeditious processing of tax credits and duty drawbacks under various laws. Continue reading BIR mandated to handle DOF OSS on tax credit and duty drawback
DOF and DICT officially ink TradeNet agreement
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 DOF is in charge of leading the collaboration and coordination within the TradeNet system. At the same time, the DICT is responsible for overseeing the technical maintenance of the TradeNet, as agreed during the ARTA meeting on 04 November 2023.
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ITC Synergizes with BOI and ARISE Plus Philippines to strengthen Industrial policy
The International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaborative partnership with the DTI Board of Investments (BOI) and ARISE Plus Philippines, jointly synergized a Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) on ‘Innovating Industrial Policy in the Philippines. The initiative aims to explore and strengthen industrial policies as follows:
(a) Adopting a robust process/framework in the development, monitoring, and implementation of industrial policy in the Philippines; and
(b) Aligning trade and investment policies to facilitate digitalization and technological development to contribute to innovative, circular and sustainable, and resilient industries. Continue reading ITC Synergizes with BOI and ARISE Plus Philippines to strengthen Industrial policy
Philippines Way Forward to Full Digitalization
Technology undeniably benefits society. Mr. Anthony Patrick Chua, Philippines Lead Staff of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC), expounded on the topic entitled “Facilitating the digital led transformation in the Philippines’ – Opportunities and Challenges” which covers the following current legislative measures benefitting the Philippines and the region: (1) Public Service Act; (2) Foreign Investment Act; (3) Retail Trade Liberalization Act; and (4) E-Commerce Roadmap.
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ARTA and 8888 CCC signs Agreement on Unresponsive Agencies
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the 8888 Citizens Complaint Center (CCC), under the auspices of the Office of the President, officially signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), systemizing the public feedback mechanism on stakeholders’ complaints against unresponsive agencies and authorizing the 8888 CCC to file formal complaints against said unresponsive government institutions with ARTA to ensure prompt action and resolution.
Section 21 (e) of the Republic Act 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, states that “failing to provide government services within the allotted processing time is a violation that is punishable by a six-month suspension for a first offense and a dismissal and permanent disqualification from public service for a second”.
With that, ARTA shall provide errant agencies a warning notice, initiate an investigation, or file necessary proceedings with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Office of the Ombudsman, and other relevant courts.
The MOA signing was led by Executive Secretary and former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin and ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez, together with Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra, Strategic Action and Response Office (StaR) Undersecretary Rogelio Peig II, ARTA Undersecretary for Legal Geneses Abot, and 8888 CCC Director IV Bernadette B. Casinabe last 22 February 2023 at the Office of the Executive Secretary, Malacanan, Manila. AGPM
PBBM orders boost on PH’s Digital Infrastructure
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered a boost to PH’s Digital Infrastructure, emphasizing digitalization’s relevance in consistently improving the Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines.
Particularly in streamlining the government’s efforts in processing and issuing permits and licenses to accelerate the development of telecommunication and internet infrastructure in the Philippines. More so, to enhance mobile cellular services and free Wi-Fi across and in remote areas of the country.
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The Bureau of Customs launched the ACDD Portal
The Bureau of Customs (BOC), led by Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, formally launched the portal for the electronic exchange of ASEAN Customs Declaration Documents (ACDD) among Association of Southeast Asian Nations members on 6 December 2022 at the F1 Hotel Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.
Commissioner Ruiz underscores that through the ACDD Management Portal, the Philippines can now electronically exchange the customs declaration document with other ASEAN states, broadening the Philippines’ economic integration and maximizing the potential of intra-ASEAN trade. Launching this landmark digital tool is expected to improve bureaucratic efficiency, strengthen market competition, and reduce barriers to entry and limits to entrepreneurship.
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DOF and DICT clarify specific roles in TradeNet
The Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) clarify their specific roles in the TradeNet. The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) led by Sec. Ernesto V. Perez, together with Undersecretary Dennis P. Villorente of the DICT, Assistant Secretary Dakila Elteen M. Napao and Director Angelica I. Sarmiento of the DOF, and representatives from the Bureau of Customs and Presidential Management Staff met on a meeting last 04 November 2022, the two agencies explained their respective issues on the draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Continue reading DOF and DICT clarify specific roles in TradeNet
EDC chairs the PNSW monitoring and oversight cluster
Nominated to chair the Philippine National Single Window’s (PNSW) Monitoring and Oversight Cluster, the Export Development Council (EDC) shall oversee the coordination of the executive departments and agencies’ participation in and execution of the NSW. The cluster is made up of representatives from various agencies in charge of managing the policies, rules, and standards for approving or granting licenses for the importation and exportation of commodities free from duties and taxes.
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