PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has ordered round-the-clock processing of imported goods to ensure their continuous flow.
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) and Department of Agriculture (DA) should ensure there are enough workers who process shipments 24/7, the presidential palace said in a statement, citing his meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council – Infrastructure Sector Group.
There should be a full-day processing of shipments since they all enter the country 24/7, he said at the meeting.
“In this business, there’s no afterhours,” Mr. Marcos said. “It’s ready 24/7. So, let’s not put an extra team, let’s just keep it running.
The council had proposed that Customs and the Agriculture department come up with a shifting schedule to ensure 24/7 operations across government services related to logistics and supply chains.
There should be continuous inspections, clearance and payment processes to reduce costs and time, particularly on the x-ray scanning operations of the Customs bureau and the DA office that inspects refrigerated vans, according to the group, based on the palace release.
Sabin M. Aboitiz, council strategic convenor and president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., presented the recommendations at the meeting.
Also present during the meeting in Malacañang were council members International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Chairman Enrique K. Razon, Jr. and First Pacific Co. Ltd. CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Most delays in Customs processing occur in pre-Customs and post-Customs processes, according to 2022 study conducted by the bureau.
Reasons behind delays include broker-related issues such as missing documents, weak internet connection and high volume of shipments in and out of Manila, the capital. — KATA
