The export sector received a boost from Malacañang with President Duterte’s newest memorandum instructing concerned government agencies to double efforts on implementing the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP).
Under Memorandum Circular 27, the President has directed 18 government agencies and entities to “collectively work, review, institute reforms and implement all relevant policies” in harmony with the PEDP. The PEDP is a three-year
rolling plan that lists the government’s annual and medium-term export thrusts, strategies, programs and projects, which are implemented in cooperation with exporters and other sectors.
The memorandum mandated the Department of Trade and Industry to monitor and implement the strategies leading to the achievement of trade targets, particularly exports of goods and services.
It was also instructed to lead in export development through internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises and to continue promoting competitiveness and ease of doing business.
The Department of Finance was directed to fully roll out Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and to “automate, streamline and integrate the import and export processes” so as to streamline trade activity.
To cut the cost of transporting goods, the memorandum tasked the Department of Transportation to make land, air and maritime transportation systems “flawless”.
The Department of Public Works and Highways was instructed to prioritize connectivity programs to make it easier to deliver products and services. This includes the Road Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade Program, the Tourism Road Infrastructure Programs, and the construction and improvement of access roads leading to airports and seaports.
The President also directed the Department of Labor and Employment to pursue tripartite industrial peace councils at the industry and regional levels intended to establish “voluntary codes of good practices”.
The codes are meant to improve productivity of workers and enterprises involved in export processes and propose sound labor policies for the protection of workers and employers.
The National Economic and Development Authority was mandated to “promote the use of regulatory impact assessment and other related tools by regulatory agencies to improve the quality of new regulations in a way that will facilitate the free flow of goods and services”.
Other government agencies instructed to abide by the memorandum are the departments of Agriculture, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, Information and Communications Technology, Interior and Local Government, Tourism, Science and Technology and Foreign Affairs.
“The foregoing agencies shall submit to the EDC and to the Office of the President, through the Executive Secretary, the inven-tory of relevant policies, programs and action plans within 60 days upon the approval of succeeding PEDPs,” the memorandum read.
“The same shall also be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management for budget allocations to be taken from available appropriations in the annual General Appropriations Act of the concerned agencies, in order to efficiently implement the succeeding PEDPs through their respective programs, activities and projects,” it added.
Under the PEDP 2015-2017, the government aims to further boost key export sectors, which include electronics; motor vehicle and parts; coconut oil; information technology and business-process management; technical, computer and information services; and processed food and beverages.