To compete Globally, Phl needs efficient transport and logistics services – PIDS

CEBU, Philippines - For the Philippines to be more competitive in a free trade market two years from now, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) recommends to improve the transport and logistics services in the country.

PIDS senior research fellow Adoracion Navarro cited in his presentation during a forum on ASEAN Economic Integration that the issue on logistics services remains on the barriers to achieving effective competition and not on high regulation or monopoly.

“There seems to be no need to liberalize entry to and exit from the freight forwarding business because of the absence of regulatory barriers and the lack of natural monopoly elements in this type of business,” he shared.

However, it is evident in domestic freight forwarding firms that 60 percent of the equity is owned by Filipino while the rest is owned by foreign entity.

The Presidential Decree 1466 mandates that the exportation and/or importation of all government cargoes, as well as private cargoes that have financial benefits to the Philippine government, must be carried by Philippine flag vessels.

Navarro shared that in a 2011 survey conducted among freight forwarders in the country; it was found that the private sector encounter difficulties in setting up local operations and in selling services once operation has been established in other ASEAN countries.

The industry players, he added, cited that the need to obtain license from a professional body, to meet minimum capital requirements, to adhere to administrative and legal regulations in setting up a partnership and to meet restrictive local labor employment regulations.

He further noted that if the local company has established its operations in an ASEAN country, it has to account for differences in commercial practices, to adhere to restrictive legal systems and contracting procedures, to manage lack of transparency, inconsistencies and confusion in regulations and to manage delays in payment.

Around 75 percent of firms surveyed indicated that inadequate infrastructure and border barriers to movement of transport across countries in ASEAN member states are serious barriers to ASEAN’s efforts in establishing AEC by 2015.

The private sector then suggested urgent measures to be implemented in the logistics industry. These include operation of ASEAN framework agreements to facilitate the movement of goods in transit, inter-state and multimodal transport, implementation of the ASEAN open skies agreements to liberalizing air freight services and passenger air services and permission for entry of ASEAN shippers in local waters.

In the Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013 of the World Economic Forum, the Philippines ranked 98th out of 144 countries in terms of quality of overall infrastructure. It placed 120th in quality of port infrastructure and 112th in quality of air infrastructure.

The Philippine Shippers’ Bureau serves as the regulator in the industry that is responsible in conducting mediation proceedings to resolve complaints and disputes between and among shippers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and other transport service providers. /JOB

Laguna Group opens Asian street-food resto

Following the success of the Café Laguna restaurant chain and Laguna Garden Café which serve unparalleled Filipino flavor, Lemon Grass which offers Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, and U Kitchen which specializes in home-cooked style comfort food, the Urbina family’s Laguna Group opens a new dining venture, nestled in the rooftop gardens of the swanky new wing of the Ayala Center Cebu—Ulli’s Streets of Asia.

Inspired by the family’s travels and their constant fascination with and study of the cuisines and cultures of the world, Ulli’s Streets of Asia came to focus on the exotic flavors and urban styles of the street food of Singapore, Hong Kong and a bit of Japan. This window into the fast-paced lifestyles and charming traditions of the streets of our neighboring countries is what the Urbinafamily wants to introduce to Cebu, led bymatriarch Julita “Julie” Urbina (Lola Ulli to her grandchildren).

Ulli’s Streets of Asia will be in soft-opening mode starting today, December 11,   and the city is invited to enjoy expertly-crafted, flavorful, healthy and affordable food and beverages, made to be enjoyed in single servings, in groups, and even on the go.

The grand opening, slated for December 18 will officially open this cozy new restaurant that brings exotic street food, and a glimpse into the urban cultures of Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, right at Cebu’s doorstep.  (FREEMAN)