One-stop shop for shipping permits under study

MANILA, Philippines — The government plans to create a business one-stop shop (BOSS) to streamline the permitting process for the shipping industry, according to the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).

In a statement, the ARTA said it is mulling the establishment of the BOSS, along with key regulatory agencies.

This came after it facilitated a series of consultative meetings following concerns on the lengthy accreditation and processing of permits for the initial operationalization of shipping companies.

The ARTA plans to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) this month to create a technical working group (TWG) that will oversee the streamlining initiative.

In August, President  Marcos lamented the logistical challenges of transporters of agricultural products.

He then directed government agencies to address these issues to lower the price of food commodities.

“The main objective is to follow the presidential directive and utilize a whole-of-nation approach to create a one-stop shop for government services,” ARTA officer-in-charge Ernesto Perez said.

Among the government agencies present in the coordination meetings were the Department of Transportation, Maritime Industry Authority, Bureau of Immigration,  Bureau of Customs, and National Bureau of Investigation  and local government units.

Private sector representatives were also present, such as the Supply Chain Management of the Philippines, Association of International Shipping Lines, Philippine Multimodal Transport and Logistics Association Inc., Philippine Liner Association of the Philippines, and the Philippine Inter-island Shipping Association.

ARTA was created through Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

It is the government agency mandated to administer and implement the Ease of Doing Business Law and its implementing rules and regulations, and to monitor and ensure compliance with the national policy on anti-red tape and ease of doing business in the country.