The Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) has created a single window platform intended to hasten the importation procedure of medical supplies that are needed in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Under Joint Memorandum Circular 1, the Arta, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) institutionalized the Bayanihan One Stop Shop, or BOSS. It functions as a single window and concierge for state agencies dealing with the importation of health goods crucial in combatting the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the existing setup, importation of products regulated by the FDA would require the issuance of license to operate to the importer and registration of every medical item unless exempted.
The importer would then be mandated to present the license to BOC for entry clearance of the imports into the country. The government, however, finds that this causes delay at a time of crisis, and, therefore, decided to put up the BOSS that will accept all online applications for the importation of medical supplies.
Under the joint memorandum, the web sites of the Arta, FDA and Customs were linked to one another for end to end processing and monitoring of applications.
Further, an online platform composed of the three agencies and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was activated. It will serve as their tracker for all incoming shipments for processing.
Once a filing for importation or license is entered into the BOC or FDA portal, concerned agencies shall be automatically prompted through the one-stop shop, as well as via e-mail, for information and monitoring.
In case there is a need to verify an issue, the SEC for private firms, DTI for sole proprietorships, CDA for cooperatives and the GCG for GOCCs may immediately validate. All FDA laws, rules and regulations governing post-importation of medical products included in the circular shall be complied with by the importing party.
Likewise, once the public health emergency is lifted, FDA rules on registration of health goods, inspection of inventory and post-market surveillance shall apply to the importers granted with provisional license to operate.
Lead agencies Arta, FDA and BOC will come up with daily and weekly reports on number and volume of medical imports facilitated through the BOSS which are to be submitted to the Interagency Task Force. They can then be incorporated in President Duterte’s weekly report to Congress as demanded of him when he was given emergency powers.
The BOSS, which went online last Friday, will be operational for as long as the country is under public health emergency or until otherwise required by the President.
The circular covers the importation of personal protective equipment, including gloves, gowns, coveralls, body suits and face masks. Moreover, shipment of medical devices like thermometer and hospital essentials like cotton are included to ensure sufficiency in supply at a time health workers are responding to the outbreak.
Protection for health workers
Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. (SLCPI) announced it would be donating 3,000 life insurance products with up to P75-million coverage to health workers through its philanthropic arm.
Those who will receive the product called Life Armor are health workers; including doctors, nurses and other medical support staff who are directly involved in the prevention and treatment of Covid-19. However, they can only receive this if they are registered members of the eponymous platform operated by Lazada e-Services Philippines Inc.
SLCPI CEO and Country Head Benedicto C. Sison emphasized the need to also protect frontliners whose risk their health and lives working in facilities.
“Filipinos in the medical field are working doubly hard and putting their lives on the line to protect the rest of us from Covid-19. It is only fitting that we also protect them and look after the welfare of those who are most important to them: their families,” said Sison, who also chairs the Sun Life Foundation Inc. “We earnestly hope that Sun Life’s simple gesture inspires our health workers to keep fighting because brighter days will soon be upon us.”
Sison said the donation is part of their foundation’s efforts to support Filipinos amid the pandemic.
Based on Sun Life Philippines’ web site, one can avail a Life Armor plan, or a P25,000 life insurance coverage, against accidents and illnesses for as low as P100.
The plan, however, is an exclusive offer for registered Lazada members. They can also avail up to four plans with a total coverage of P100,000.
Apart from the life insurance donation, SLCPI said it has also recently donated 3,000 personal protective equipment units and other equipment to a number of hospitals.
With Bernadette D. Nicolas