Government lending arm to set aside P1.5 billion fund for MSMEs affected by COVID- 19 

Due to the continuing rise of confirmed COVID-19 cases and the scarcity of medical devices and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its lending arm- the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp) felt the need to augment the critical supply gap and significantly reduce the risks and serious threat posed by COVID-19 to the health and safety Continue reading “Government lending arm to set aside P1.5 billion fund for MSMEs affected by COVID- 19 “

ECQ Bayanihan: PNP-FEO expedites issuance of PTU

The Philippine National Police-Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) suspends the ‘Payment first before issuance of Permit to Unload (PTU)’ policy in a Memorandum dated 03 April 2020 ‘Leniency on Policy of Payment for Permit to Unload in Time of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ)’ followed by a letter dated 06 April 2020, clarifying further the instructions for its implementation. Continue reading “ECQ Bayanihan: PNP-FEO expedites issuance of PTU”

Customs implements globally accredited ‘AEO Program’ thru CMO 9-2020

In response for the country’s commitment to the World Customs Organization SAFE framework, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) issued CMO 9-2020 “Implementing the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program Established Under CAO 5-2017 for Importers and Exporters” last 16 March 2020. Said memorandum revokes, amends, or modifies CMO 11-2012 and CMO 14-2013 to further beef up the AEO program. Continue reading “Customs implements globally accredited ‘AEO Program’ thru CMO 9-2020”

Transport & Logistics Stakeholders air recommendations to facilitate flows of goods amidst COVID-19

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”.   Continue reading “Transport & Logistics Stakeholders air recommendations to facilitate flows of goods amidst COVID-19”

Quality Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) to enhance the Philippine trade environment

A forum on “Moving Towards Quality Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) was conducted to advance the goal of quality NTMs in the country, its relevance, and issues stemming from it. It aims to provide updates on measures taken by the government arising from the results of the business survey on NTMs conducted by the International Trade Center (ITC) in 2016, collaborate with key private sector stakeholders on moving towards quality NTMs noting current industry accounts on trade facilitation. In addition, it also aims to foster knowledge and experience sharing among different government agencies that carry out NTMs and its formulation and implementation. Finally, to review the current governance and set gears for an inter-agency collaboration on NTMs. Continue reading “Quality Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) to enhance the Philippine trade environment”

BOC addresses ECQ accreditation order thru OCOM Memo No. 62-2020 

On March 17, further operational guidelines under the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) concerning the implementation of the  “Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ)”, ordered that “All government agencies in the Executive Branch are hereby directed to issue accreditation orders to identify their respective skeletal workforces for critical services operating during the duration of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon…” Continue reading “BOC addresses ECQ accreditation order thru OCOM Memo No. 62-2020 “