Importers want seat in car program council

MANILA, Philippines - Newly formed group the Alliance of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) is seeking a seat in the automotive council under the Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Development Plan (CMVDP).

In a letter to the Board of Investments (BOI), AVID said they would like to be in the council “to make known its sentiment on any issues that may arise in the formulation of policies affecting the car industry as a whole.”

Likewise, AVID said their membership in the council will foster the spirit of transparency in policy-making and to make sure that the participation of private sector representation threat is in conformity with law, particularly in the proscription against the conflict of interest.

However, in an interview, BOI managing head Cristino L. Panlilio said that the CMVDP is primarily for manufacturers of vehicles and not mere importers. Panlilio said that although they are willing to listen to the concerns of AVID, the group is better off going to the Department of Finance (DOF) to discuss perks for them.

AVID said they are opposing any moves to increase import tariffs or excise tax on completely built up (CBU) imports because it will stifle local market competition. The BOI has already assured AVID that the CMVDP is not advocating any tariff increases.

Although AVID is seeking representation in the automotive council, the group is asking the government to make sure that the private sector representatives will not be allowed to participate in the policy decision making or the implementation or monitoring of policies.