Government to converge programs aligned to PEDP 2015-2017
Export Development Council (EDC)
May 20, 2016
Government agencies submitted to the Export Development Council their respective programs, activities and projects (PAPs) aligned to the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2015-2017. This is in compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 91 issued by the President to 14 relevant government agencies directing them to collectively work and review all relevant policies to facilitate exports and eliminate those that hamper its free flow.?
The major PAPs in support to the PEDP include the following: The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) will implement a culture of continuous improvement in the quality of regulation by requiring concerned agencies to conduct periodic Regulatory Impact Assessment. The Department of Science and Technology will beef up its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP). The Department of Labor and Employment presented its Two-Tiered Wage System, an approach to the setting of minimum wage and promoting productivity improvement. The Department of Interior and Local Government will institutionalize the Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officers (LEIPO) as one of the economic drivers in the LGUs. These programs aim to raise the productivity and competitiveness of Philippine enterprise.?
To exploit opportunities presented by regional and preferential trading arrangements to expand market access within trade partners, explore new trade partners and develop new export products, the Department of Foreign Affairs laid a program to promote key and emerging products for inclusion in Free Trade Agreements (FTA) to expand market access within the existing trade partners, especially in areas where there are no Commercial Attaches.?
To remove unnecessary impediments to the free flow of goods and services, the Department of Agriculture (DA) highlights its Trade Enabling Risk Management System to strengthen sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) Policy & Risk Management Framework. DA also plans to automate the SPS clearance procedures. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its Guidelines on the Unified Licensing Requirements and Procedures for the License to Operate.?
On improving exporters? access to trade finance, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas sets its program called Foreign Loan Approval and Registration System (FLAReS).?
On improving infrastructure to support trade, the Department of Public Works and Highways will continue to upgrade roads and maintain bridges along national roads.?
Implementation of PAPs will be monitored by the EDC. ?