Stakeholders to tackle bank services issue as Customs goes 24/7

A BANKERS’ group, businessmen and an exporters’ group will meet next week to address the concern about 24/7 bank services requested by the Bureau of Customs which will implement 24/7 operations starting this week.

Melanie Ng, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), said the 24/7 bank services’ concern will be discussed when the CCCI, Philexport and Cebu Bankers Club meet next week.

Customs district collector Rico Rey Francis Holganza earlier said it would be difficult for them to release containers at night if banks do not function in consonance with BOC’s 24/7 operations.

But CBC president Maximo Rey Eleccion encouraged the importers and exporters, who are affected by the 24/7 Customs operations to talk to their banks.

“We encourage them to pay within the banking hours of their respective banks if online payment facility is not available. We advise them to talk to their respective banks how to resolve their concerns since BOC already operates 24/7,” said Eleccion in a text message to Cebu Daily News yesterday.

Over-the-counter transactions are made during daytime office hours, or between around 9 a.m. to around 5 p.m, but the online payment facilities already operate 24/7.

But, as of now, there are no banks offering special over-the-counter arrangements for cargo owners in line with the 24/7 BOC operations, Eleccion said.

He also pointed out that the operations of BOC are still new and banks would have to study  how they can adjust to the new scheme.

Ng said they will also  need to call for another meeting to discuss plans to organize a technical working committee to focus on port issues.