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The portal pushing increased utilization of free trade agreements in the Philippines is now accessible even prior to its official launch in August
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Philippine companies may explore the features of the web-based origin management system
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The system is free for use and users can customize and manage their accounts accordingly
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The OMS digitalizes the application process and issuance of product evaluation report necessary to avail of preferential tariffs under the Philippines’ current FTAs and generalized system of preferences
The portal pushing increased utilization of free trade agreements (FTAs) in the Philippines is now accessible even prior to its official launch in August, according to the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB).
Philippine companies may explore the features of the web-based origin management system (OMS) ahead of the launch, DTI-EMB said in a social media post. The system (ftaorigin.dti.gov.ph) is free for use and users can customize and manage their accounts accordingly.
Once officially launched, DTI-EMB said the OMS will digitalize the application process and the issuance of product evaluation report (PER) necessary to avail of the preferential tariffs under the Philippines’ current FTAs and generalized system of preferences (GSP).
The OMS, as well the FTA information portal launched in December last year, are the major components of a project between DTI and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) that officially commenced following the signing of the Record of Discussions on November 29, 2023.
The project aims to enhance the international competitiveness of Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises, increase the utilization of existing Philippine FTAs and preferential trade arrangements, and reduce the time and costs of Philippine manufacturers and traders to comply with rules of origin requirements of FTAs and GSPs.
Korea Trade Network (KTNET), the Korean government’s designated trade automation business service provider, is implementing the project with Philippine-based value-added service provider InterCommerce Network Services, Inc. as its partner. The DTI-EMB takes the lead in implementation on the Philippines’ side.
Through the OMS, exporters can submit applications to the Bureau of Customs for the PER on manufactured export product, if the product is qualified under a specific FTA origin criterion.
DTI-EMB director Bianca Pearl Sykimte earlier said this will hopefully facilitate the approval of the PER, which is a document that contains the results of the pre-evaluation of export products applying for certificate of origin.
The OMS will also be capable of integrating with the own enterprise resurge planning systems of businesses so that they can just upload their data instead of separately encoding in the OMS.
KTNET earlier said the OMS can make the origin certification process faster and transparent, and help businesses and exporters utilize FTAs, thereby reducing costs as they can take advantage of preferential tariffs under such agreements.
Utilization of FTAs in Korea increased from around 60% to 82% in 2023 when they implemented their FTA origin determination service called Korea FTA Plus.
KTNET said the Philippines will be the first country where the system will be implemented outside of South Korea, although similar systems are also being utilized around the world, especially in developed countries.
