Forwarders vow to go after ‘fly-by-night’ courier operators

An organization of seafreight forwarders in Cebu aims to focus on improving services and to better monitor the industry to shut down “fly-by-night” operators.

There is a need to strengthen policies and to make sure that all players are legitimate and to adopt international standards in the service they provide to their customers, said Carmel de Pio Salvador, incoming president of the Philippine  International Seafreight Forwarders Association (Pisfa)-Cebu chapter.

“The availability of the Internet that has now made ordering online possible and having these goods delivered to their location through freight has fueled the increase in logistics movements to and from our country including Cebu,” said Salvador in a press briefing last Wednesday.

This opportunity also attracts those we call ‘fly-by-night’ operators. That is why here in Cebu we have really decided to be more visible and active now,” said Salvador.

With the Asean integration happening next year, trade activities are expected to increase and the group can’t afford to lose opportunities because of the malpractices of those who prey on clients during this  time, she said.

Salvador also admitted that the number of  illegal operators is twice   that of the group’s members. Pisfa-Cebu Chapter has 51 active members.

While the Philippine Shippers Bureau of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)  is mandated to accredit all seafreight forwarders, Salvador said that there are entities adept  at creating bogus companies.

She said Pisfa plans to prevent this by putting a stamp with a serial number that corresponds to each member forwarder on documents for better control and to help the DTI make sure that only the legitimate forwarders are operating.

“We are also working this out with the BOC (Bureau of Customs) so that the stamp will be recognized by them,” she said.

DTI Regional Director Asteria Caberte said she is happy with the association’s move and will be working closely with them.

“We will shut them down. This is a warning to the illegal operators. We will work closely with the association to find them and shut them down,” said Caberte.

Salvador said they urge all seafreight forwarders to become members of Pisfa and so be recognized as legitimate companies.

To also further strengthen efficiency, Salvador said they have lined up seminars that will help their members improve their services.