Friday, November 07, 2008 Port authorities await BOC opinion on release of 2 tankers of used oil
TWO tankers of used oil owned by Genetron International Marketing and Gallego’s Merchandising are still being held at the Cebu International Port (CIP), while port authorities await the legal opinion of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Carlos Corsiga, Port of Cebu chief of assessment, said that Christianne Sebastian-Guanzon is asking for a tax exemption on the contents of Genetron’s tanker, because this is sludge and of no value.
Corsiga said he referred Guanzon’s letter to lawyer James Edward Dy Buco, chief of the BOC Port of Cebu legal division.
Christianne pointed out that under the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Charter, sludge is not taxable.
Recycling
It’s a case of Genetron buying garbage for recycling, she said.
Sludge, which is not even recorded in a foreign vessel’s manifest because this is just waste, is composed of at least 60 percent water and only from 30-40 percent oil. It is considered of “no value” because the cost of recovering oil from it is too high.
She urged the BOC to decide soon on her request for tax exemption because it would be dangerous for the tanker to stay longer at the CIP.
Cebu Port Authority (CPA) General Manager Angelo Verdan said their only concern is the payment of port fees, and then the tankers can be taken out of CIP anytime
with the BOC’s clearance.
Permit
There is no similar request from Gallego’s Merchandising, which owns the other tanker containing 20,000 liters of used oil.
Genetron has presented to the media the complete documents showing how they recycled the sludge. Gallego’s Merchandising, however, has so far remained silent on where they brought the used oil they’ve bought from foreign vessels.
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 said it will issue a permit to transport to Genetron once they can comply with the requirements, including the plans for the disposal of used oil.
EMB 7 Officer-in-Charge Rolando Luego said DENR’s concern is to implement Republic Act 6969, which includes determining the transport and disposal plans of the buyers and transporters of used oil. (EOB)
