The Sugar Regulatory Administration is now ready to implement an electronic payment system for the export and import of sugar and sugar-based products to facilitate trade through the Philippine National Single Window (PNSW), SRA Administrator Ma. Regina Martin said yesterday.

SRA is among the first two government agencies piloted to implement the e-payment under the PNSW system together with the National Telecommunications Commission, Martin said.

This will facilitate paperless transaction in speed, with a full package of ePayment features, cutting transaction costs in securing cargo permits and clearances, she explained.

“Going ‘electronic’ will further foster greater transparency between government and private sectors, in line with the Public-Private Partnership Program (PPP). This measure will bring about a smooth cross-border flow of goods and increase the country’s competitive advantage in the world market,“ she said.

The realization of a paperless environment is comprised of four key areas: online submission of application form and supporting documents by the traders; online processing and approval of the applications by the government agency; electronic payment via BancNet ATM Gateway; and electronic verification and tagging of import/export permit and clearances by Bureau of Customs via the PNSW system, she said.

SRA launched the PNSW electronic payment yesterday with Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, first vice president Jennifer Tantan of the Land Bank of the Philippines, and Martin.

The targetted full implementation of the system is Jan. 3, 2013, she said.

"The PNSW electronic payment system aims to facilitate payment and collection of the fees and charges in securing SRA import/export permits and clearances at a tremendously reduced processing time, from a few days to just hours to a day", Martin also said.

Sugar and sugar-based importers/exporters will use the PNSW electronic system through the BancNET-ATM Payment Gateway, a secured and integrated electronic payment solution that facilitates sugar and sugar-based importers and exporters to pay SRA e-permit/e-clearance fees from their offices and homes, she added.*

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