Cargo containers are placed temporarily in front of the Cebu Port Authority office in this March 2015 file photo.
Online release, quick refund, 24/7 operations
Newly appointed Customs Commissioner Alberto D. Lina has pledged to introduce reforms that will speed up the release of imports in Cebu.
In a dialogue with forwarders on Monday, Lina promised to implement an online release system, keep the Bureau of Customs (BoC) office open even on weekends, and refund container deposits within seven days.
He also asked the Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association – Cebu Chapter (PISFA-Cebu) and the Chamber of Customs Brokers (CCBI) to come up with a manual that would simplify procedures on the release of shipments.
The bureau has started implementation in Manila of a mobile release system that uploads release instructions to the BoC website.
Wala pa dito sa Cebu ang online release system, eh mas madali sana ‘yon (Cebu still doesn’t have the online system. This would speed up releases). Can PCCI (Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry) write to us to request for the system here? It will really save you a day of processing,” he said.
Lina said he will make sure that the Customs office would be able to facilitate release even on weekends.
“We will set up a skeleton crew to man the office. The overtime pays for the Customs people will be paid by us,” he said.
He said the mandate of Customs is to be able to process releasing of shipments within four hours. To be able do this, offices of the different shipping lines should also be open seven days a week.
“We also have to make sure that the brokers are doing their jobs well. The target should be one day processing of releases so that shippers will not have to pay for penalties after the free storage of five days,” he said.
Lina also promised to issue a memorandum requiring all shipping companies to refund container deposits within seven days.
“If they don’t, then tell me so that we will not issue them entry and exit permits,” he said.
Carmel P. Salvador, PISFA president, said some members have not been refunded in three years, with the value reaching P1.2 million. She said shipping companies charge P10,000 deposit for every container.
Lina said the goal is to ensure a smooth and steady flow of trading in Cebu. Delays in port operations entail additional costs for traders. These are carried over to the consumers.
“It’s the consumers who suffer and the whole cost of doing business here in Cebu also increases. That will not favor trade and investments and I think Cebu deserves better than that. At the end of the day, we all are consumers,” he said.
Lina was also the chief customs commissioner during the Arroyo administration, but he resigned when the “Hello Garci” scandal erupted.