PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of the Philippine Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC) in compliance with the World Trade Organization-Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO-TFA).
In Executive Order 136 signed on May 18, Duterte said the PTFC will be composed of representatives from the following departments and agencies:
* Department of Finance (DOF)
* Department fo Trade and Industry (DTI)
* Bureau of Customs (BOC)
* Department of Agriculture
* Department of Foreign Affairs
* National Economic and Development Authority (Neda)
* Department of Environment and Natural Resources
* Department of Transportation
* Tariff Commission
* Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
* DTI-Bureau of International Trade Relations
* DTI-Bureau of Import Services
* Food and Drug Administration
* Philippine Economic Zone Authority
"The representative of each member agency shall have a rank not lower than an assistant director or its equivalent rank, and shall be fully authorized to decide on behalf of the agency," EO 136 stated.
The committee will be chaired by the DOF representative and co-chaired by the member from the DTI. The BOC representative will act as vice-chairperson.
Duterte added that the committee must be assisted by a secretariat, which will be composed of existing personnel from the BOC and which will provide administrative and technical support to the committee.
The duties and responsibilities of the PTFC include the following:
* Study, propose and coordinate the position, activities or actions of the Philippine government on matters pertaining to the implementation of the WTO-TFA and other trade facilitation commitments.
* Represent and advance the interests of the Philippines in meetings on the implementation of the WTO-TFA and other trade facilitation commitments.
* Call on the assistance of and coordinate with relevant government agencies and stakeholders on various trade and trade-related concerns covered by the WTO-TFA and other trade facilitation commitments.
* Submit appropriate and timely reports on the compliance of the Philippines with the WTO-TFA and other trade facilitation commitments.
* Propose to Neda Board Committee on Tariff and Related Matters (CTRM) trade regulations, measures and practices which are consistent with the objectives of the WTO-TFA and other trade facilitation commitments, to expedite movement, release and clearance of goods.
* Undertake outreach, advocacy, capacity-building and studies among its members and stakeholders to increase awareness of the best practices and benefits of trade facilitation.
* Ensure compliance with Republic Act 11032, or the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018,” in relation to trade facilitation and in coordination with the Anti-Red Tape Authority.
* Report regularly to the Neda Board CTRM and seek approval on matters relevant to the functioning of the committee, as may be necessary.
* To the extent consistent with the respective mandate of the member-agencies, perform such other functions to fulfill the commitments of the Philippines to the WTO-TFA and other trade facilitation commitments.
The initial funding requirements for the implementation of EO 136 will be charged against the current appropriations of the member-agencies of the PTFC, Duterte said.
Budgetary requirements for succeeding years, meanwhile, will be incorporated in the annual budget proposals of the member-agencies.
Duterte said the PTFC has to be created as under the WTO-TFA, "there is a need to establish a body that would streamline and improve customs procedures and facilitate the implementation of rational, efficient and simple customs rules that will reduce the cost of trade transactions, and enable micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to participate more actively in international trade."
The Philippines has been a member-state of the WTO since January 1, 1995.
On October 27, 2016, the government ratified the WTO-TFA and the deal was entered into force for the country on February 22, 2017. (LMY)