Joint Department Order to implement Co-Loading Act
Export Development Council
June 27, 2016

Joint Department Administrative Order No. 001 s.2016 was issued last May 16 for the implemen-tation of the Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act or Republic Act No. 10668, also known as the amended Cabotage Law. The Secretaries of the Departments of Finance, Transportation and Communication, Trade and Industry, and Justice signed the joint order which serves as the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of said law. The IRR took effect last May 31.

President Benigno S. Aquino III signed in July last year the amendments to the Cabotage Law which is expected to help cut logistics cost and ease restrictions, allowing foreign ships to transport, import and export cargoes directly to and from any Philippine port of entry.

The revised law is seen to foster competition among domestic shipping companies in the country and will pave the way to lower shipping costs. In addition, it will assist importers and exporters in enhancing their competitiveness in the light of intensifying international trade.