‘Too many rules’ slow down transport sector

Stakeholders in the public land and water transport industry unveiled a lengthy list of impediments to doing business, presented during an initial consultation on modernizing government regulations.

For the road transport sector, key issues that emerged pertained to redundancies in procedures and conflicts in rules and regulations, particularly those implemented by local government units (LGUs).

Complaints were raised against the redundant process of submitting the same documents repeatedly within the same agency and across agencies, and the hardships of getting the certificate of public convenience.

Another major problem is obtaining the many requirements, including those demanded by LGUs, such as the barangay clearance.

Industry players likewise decried differing traffic rules and regulations imposed by LGUs that complicate compliance, aggravated by “the lack of coordination between LGUs and national government agencies, especially on rerouting.”

Adding other requirements “over and above the stated requirement” is a government practice that was also scored by the private sector. An example is the need to submit an affidavit of mailing to show proof that the buyer has been furnished a copy of the hearing transcript, which participants in the consultation insisted is not stated in the requirements for sale and transfer.

Compliance with regulations is further hindered by the failure to display the Citizen’s Charter, and even when the charter is displayed, “costs are not updated,” said the attendees.

Stakeholders in the water transport industry expressed objections to a number of rules, policies, and procedures enforced in the sector that they claimed undermine business operations.

The conflict of interest arising from the Philippine Ports Authority’s dual role as regulator and port developer came up again. Ship acquisition is also challenged by the “cyclic and numerous procedures” stakeholders have to go through.

The hearing was part of consultations with the private sector on the government’s regulatory reform program, held from Aug. 7 to 11 by the Development Academy of the Philippines in cooperation with the National Economic and Development Authority.