Last 28 February, the ECCP Infrastructure and Transportation Committee meeting discussed current port congestion issues. On a related note, the Committee extensively discussed the draft Joint Administrative Order (JAO) on regulating the application of local charges imposed by international shipping lines. The said JAO, which is expected to be signed in Q1 2019, will help lower operating costs and improve logistics efficiencies. 

The Committee also reviewed its 2018 advocacies and discussed which topics will be of priority in 2019: 

• PCAB Licensing for fully foreign owned contractors
• Comprehensive, efficient, pro-growth infrastructure development
• Prevention of predatory charging prices in shipping lines
• Additional mining taxes which, if implemented, are seen to have a negative impact on the current Administration's Build Build Build Program