Saluta, M. L. M. (2013). Institutionalizing the Tariff commission's database on the products specific rule (PSR) under the rules of origin (ROO) in availing the preferential tariffs on the various free trade agreements toward a transparent, accountable and participatory governance (Unpublished master's thesis). Public Management Development Program, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Public Management Development Program Middle Managers Class Thesis (MMC)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

The ReP Concern: The proliferation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the past years, led to various discussions and negotiations on the importance of the Rules of Origin (ROO) as the criteria being used in determining where a good has been made for the purpose of ensuring only the products of countries which are party to the FTA obtain concessional entry under the agreement. On the basis, the Tariff Commission is committed to provide our stakeholders (e.g. local manufacturers, importers, exporters, traders, academe, students, researchers, civil society groups, NGOs and other government agencies) the pertinent information on the WHAT/WHY/ HOW on ROO including the determination of Product Specific Rule (PSR), which will easily be accessible and available thru our Official website at www.tariffcommission.gov.ph Existing situation shows that there is no basic information regarding ROO as well as database on the PSRs which out stakeholders ought to know and obtain to comply and avail preferential tariffs when importing their products from our dialogue partners e.g. ASEAN, China, Korean, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and India. The ReP Intervention: To address the concerns of the stakeholders, the project involves two (2) stages: Phase 1: ROO Manual/ Comparative PSR Matrix. Basic Information will develop/build-up the awareness of our stakeholders in availing of the appropriate preferential tariffs accorded under the various FTA Agreements resulting in increased FTA utilization. Phase II: The Online Posting of the ROO Manual/ PSRMatrix. Educating and empowering the stakeholders to take full advantage of the opportunities being offered by the various FTA Agreements that will facilitate the ease of doing business and bring forth economic prosperity to the region. In addition to the online posting, there is the conduct of a national advocacy program in collaboration with other government agencies, particularly the department of trade and industry (DTI) with their on-going program of Doing Business in Free Trade Agreements" and a more detailed information campaign will be conducted in disseminating awareness to Association and industry groups on the various FTAs (understanding the Articles of the Agreements) including ROOs in addition to topics e,g., the Rules of Classification as well as Trade remedy, among others. The Result: For the three (3) month implementation period of my ReP, Phase I of the project has been completed as planned and as a result, an ROO Manual and a comparative product PSR matrix were made available to stakeholders. Phase II of the project, which is the online posting of the Rules of Origin (ROO) Manual and the Product specific Rule (PSR) will be done by July 2013.