The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) urged truckers and ports nationwide to use the Unified Logistics Pass (ULP), a unified Quick Response (QR) code that facilitates the unhampered movement of trucks for hire delivering basic goods and necessities.
Truck operators can register to get their ULP QR Code in the three participating pilot ecozone ports: Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Clark Freeport Zone, and Cavite Export Processing Zone.
The ULP aims to eliminate the varying and separate pass-through stickers being required by economic zones, ports, and local government units (LGUs) to allow easier movement and ease port-entry restrictions for trucks.
The initiative follows the government’s successful implementation of the Rapid Pass system initiative.
ARTA last month turned over the said system to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The Department of Science and Technology—National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) turned over 250 mobile scanners and 344 power banks to the LTFRB in support of the pilot implementation of the program, which was created by Developers Connect Philippines (DEVCON).
In January 2022, ARTA, together with several key agencies, ports, and private stakeholders signed a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) and Memorandum of Agreement ( MOA ) on the ULP’s pilot implementation.
The ULP is in line with ARTA’s flagship National Effort for the Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Inter-related Agencies Program, which aims to reduce the time, costs, and requirements or procedures of government services in five priority sectors by 52 percent in 52 weeks.
ARTA officer-in-charge Ernesto Perez said there are certain ports that refuse to utilize the ULP system even when it comes at no cost to the government and the appropriate training to be facilitated by ARTA under a whole-of-nation approach.
Trucking companies can get the pass when they apply for a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) from the LTFRB and/or when they apply for accreditation/registration with special economic zones.
Through a unified application form with the LTFRB, trucking companies will be able to simultaneously apply for accreditation with port authorities and/or special economic zones, among others. Payment of fees for the accreditation or registration with different entities shall also be made under a single window or through a business one-stop shop.
Once approved, they will be given a QR Code which can be easily scanned by different government authorities including port authorities, special economic zones, and LGUs.
