NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE III:3 OF THE
GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES
The
following notification, dated 10
December 2024, from
the delegation of the
Philippines, is being circulated to Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
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1 MEMBER NOTIFYING:
Philippines
2 NOTIFICATION UNDER:
Article III:3 of the General Agreement on Trade in Services
3 DATE
OF ENTRY INTO FORCE:
4 April
2023
3.1 Duration:
Indefinite
4 AGENCY
RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE MEASURE:
Administrative Agencies under Section 3
(Recognition of Transfer of Jurisdiction to Various Administrative Agencies) of
Republic Act No. 11659 – An Act Amending Commonwealth Act No. 146, Otherwise
Known as the Public Service Act, as amended. Based on the Implementing Rules
and Regulations of RA 11659, this Section also includes all other
Administrative Agencies that have, or may be authorized to exercise a similar
function as approved by Congress or other responsible authority, as
appropriate.
5 DESCRIPTION
OF THE MEASURE:
Republic
Act No. 11659 or “An Act Amending Commonwealth Act No. 146, Otherwise Known as
the Public Service Act, as Amended” and its Implementing Rules of Regulation
(IRR).
The law, which amends the Public
Service Act, enables full foreign ownership of key public services that are not
classified as public utilities. Foreign ownership in public services that are
classified as public utilities, such as electricity transmission and
distribution; water and wastewater pipeline distribution systems including
sewerage; petroleum and petroleum products pipeline transmission systems;
seaports, and public utility vehicles is permitted up to 40 percent. This now
allows full foreign ownership of businesses in public services, such as
shipping, airports, railways, expressways, and telecommunications. Prior to the
approval of the amendments, foreign ownership in all public services was
limited to 40 percent.
6 MEMBERS
SPECIFICALLY AFFECTED, IF ANY:
None
7 TEXTS
AVAILABLE FROM:
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2022/03/21/republic-act-no-11659/ and https://neda.gov.ph/irr-ra11659-psa/
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