ARTA, agencies seek to establish ‘one-stop shop’ for shipping industry permits

ARTA, agencies seek to establish ‘one-stop shop’ for shipping industry permits
CNN Philippines Staff Nov 8, 2022 https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/11/8/ARTA--agencies-seek-to-est...

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 8) — The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and other regulators are working to create a “one-stop shop” for the shipping industry to streamline its process of granting permits.

In a statement released on Monday, the agency said it is set to sign a memorandum of agreement in November that will form a technical working group to oversee the initiative.

According to the ARTA, the Department of Transportation, Maritime Industry Authority, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation, and local government units are on board the program.

The agency also said private sector groups in the discussions include 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 Officer-in-Charge Ernesto Perez earlier led consultations and meetings to address “the lengthy accreditation and processing of permits” for shipping companies.

“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,” Perez said. “This is really the policy direction of the government — to make it easier for people to deal with the government.”

President Ferdinand “Bongbong Marcos, Jr. earlier ordered government agencies to address the logistical issues encountered by those transporting agricultural goods.