PNP budges on accreditation of logistics firms for chemicals

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has heeded the call of exporters and importers to transfer from the agency to accredited logistics providers (ALPs) the task of ensuring the secure transport of controlled chemicals over land.

The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) said a draft memorandum circular which mandates the shift in ensuring the safe delivery of low-risk controlled chemicals from police escorts to ALPs has been signed by PNP Director General Ronald Dela Rosa.

Philexport, however, said the circular does not cover high-risk controlled chemicals which will still need accompaniment from police officers.

The export group said the development came about following several months of discussion between stakeholders and PNP officials, wherein exporters, importers, manufacturers, and export-development government agencies relayed the difficulties and delays to the business community of the need for a police escort when transporting toxic substances.

“It bears stressing that this policy is an industry-endorsed proposal which they so have assiduously asserted and requested. In the previous regulatory regime, transport of controlled chemicals entailed the physical presence of the police officers who were compensated for their professional services but in the proposed guidelines, the duty and responsibility of transporting these controlled chemicals will be undertaken by accredited logistics providers which in turn will be subject to the regulatory policies and guidelines of the PNP,” the memorandum circular stated.

The use of ALPS is seen by authorities and stakeholders as beneficial all around, as it will “unburden the PNP of depleting its human resources whose services are better ( used) for the national government’s campaign against illegal drugs.”