Saturday, December 02, 2006 BOC to speed up release of goods to manufacturers
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu will speed up the release of imported goods from Dec. 8-11 so manufacturing firms, especially at the Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ) 1, will not be affected by the Asean summit.
Edgar Galeos, chief of the Port Operations Division of the Port of Cebu, said four cargo vessels will arrive at the Cebu International Port (CIP) from Dec. 8 to 11.
Galeos said mv Valticon of Rollway Shipping will arrive on Dec. 8, while mv Eagle Excellence of American Presidents Lines will dock on Dec. 9. Both mv Elena of Mercury Freight and mv Hambourg of Van Transport will arrive at 1 a.m. on Dec. 11.
A foreign vessel carries from 200 to 400 container vans of imported goods, mostly raw materials for the manufacturing firms at MEZ 1.
Galeos said that about 150 locators at MEZ 1 are manufacturing various products out of imported raw materials.
“While we support the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit, we have to rush the release of raw materials bound for MEZ 1 otherwise they will stop operations,” he said.
This is first time Cebu is hosting the Asean summit on Dec. 10 to 14.
The BOC is among the government agencies exempted from the four-day holiday during the summit as it plays a vital role in the export transactions.
Malacañang declared Dec. 11 to 14 a holiday for students and government offices that do not render emergency, security and export transaction services.
Cebu’s manufacturing and banking industries had sought exemption from the holiday, which was initially applicable to the entire private sector.
District Collector Ricardo Belmonte said that because most of the cargoes are bound for the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, these will be transported passing the ceremonial route of the Asean summit.
However, certain roads will be closed during the summit, especially going to MEZ 1 and the airport, when the summit delegates’ convoy will pass.
This may pose challenge for the manufacturers. (EOB)
