Government ensures fast-track of business development
Developers are willing to work in full compliance with all relevant building standards and regulation, but they believe the new DAO may pose a possible roadblock in the completion of key projects
Last month, President
Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11571, which aims to fast-track the issuance of permits and licenses and certifications in times of national emergency, like the
Covid-19 pandemic.
This is a very timely and relevant law that allows the president, during national emergencies, to accelerate and streamline regulatory processes, and suspend or waive requirements for permits, licenses and certifications and authorizations.
What is unique with the law is that it applies to all businesses. It does not favor any specific industry. This will definitely help revitalize the economy under the new normal. We certainly need to thank the President for this development.
Several players in the steel industry are asking why they are now required to submit what appears to be additional documents for the conditional release of roofing materials they imported from overseas.
The President obviously abhors red tape and bureaucracy, the reason his popularity remains sky high. That is also why he has been encouraging all government agencies to provide the people and businesses efficient public service and spare them of the intolerable waiting time to secure business permits and certifications. This is felt on the ground. I myself was a recipient of this when I renewed my driver’s license.
This new law is congruent with another law, Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, which the President signed into law two years ago, and sought to make the process of putting up and running a business in the Philippines easier and more efficient.
With these pro-business laws, several players in the steel industry are asking why they are now required to submit what appears to be additional documents for the conditional release of roofing materials they imported from overseas.
The qualms of the steel industry players stemmed from a Department Administrative Order (DAO) recently issued by the Bureau of Philippine Standards and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), mandating the product certification of raw materials used for roofing and general applications.
In particular, these makers and importers of roofing materials in the country believed the new DTI DAO, which took effect on 13 January 2021, will result in an undersupply of roofing materials needed to complete housing projects and key government infrastructure projects. This, however, remains to be seen.
Makers and importers of roofing materials are wondering and, at the same time, fear that the implementation of the DAO may only create market distortions, resulting to possible supply shortage and trigger possible price upsurge of steel sheets and coils.
Reports said representatives of the steel industry filed an appeal to the DTI to provide them ample time to adjust and conform to the new requirements and standards, as well as dispose all incoming steel coils and sheets.
This is because most of the local players have already booked and ordered steel coils and sheets for roofing prior to the issuance and effectivity of DAO 20-10, Series of 2020.
They added that the said shipments, which are due to arrive between January to April 2021, will not be able to meet the minimum total coated thickness of 0.4 millimeters and coating mass requirements as indicated in DAO 20-10, Series of 2020, since they use PNS 67:2014 as reference standard.
While the DTI granted the steel industry’s appeal to provide them ample time to comply with the new technical regulation, it has issued additional provisions that require importers of roofing materials to submit what they feel are voluminous documents and certification before their shipments are released.
Under these provisions, local steel makers must submit numerous documents for the conditional release of roofing materials they imported from overseas.
Steel makers are asking why they are required to submit those additional documents if their shipments followed the legal importation process.
In total, importers of roofing materials are reportedly required to submit 24 documents to have their shipments released, which they said may slow down supply.
It is hoped that this will not affect businesses and enterprises doing business in the construction sector.
The government is currently embarking on a massive P6 trillion infrastructure program. News reports said it will build 75 air and seaports, bridges, roads, railways and hospitals. The works spell jobs and brisk economic activity. Risks must be minimized for continuity. We are in the golden age of infrastructure in the country, and this we can thank to the strong leadership we currently have.
Despite the higher demand, there is reportedly still a significant undersupply of roofing material to meet the demand for ongoing housing and government infrastructure projects, which is expected to zoom further once economic activity spikes now that the vaccines will soon arrive.
Developers are willing to work in full compliance with all relevant building standards and regulation, but they believe the new DAO may pose a possible roadblock in the completion of key projects, especially those under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” projects and help the country meet housing shortage by 2030.
The national government is keen on jumpstarting the economy, allowing the country to keep abreast with our neighboring nations in terms of revitalizing their economies during the pandemic.
We need to provide all the support our local industries and businesses need to help them recover quickly following the impact of the global pandemic.
As we enter the season of Lent, I am always reminded how the scripture encourages us to live in harmony with one another and pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. All things should be done decently and in order.