Wednesday, December 24, 2008 Customs, Land Bank to hold offices during holidays
UPON the urgent request of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), including its Mactan Sub-Port and U-Freight, will be open on Dec. 29 to 30, 2008 to accommodate and accept transactions.
This decision was arrived at after a meeting with the deputies and division chiefs of the BOC Cebu and after coordinating with the different government agencies involved in import-export transactions, said Customs District Collector Ricardo R. Belmonte.
Belmonte also said in his letter to CCCI that the BOC will also hold office today.
Only three ocean-going vessels are expected to arrive between Dec. 25 and 29. Belmonte said the vessels can easily be handled and readily released by BOC on or before Dec. 30.
CCCI forwarded to the BOC the requests of several members, especially importers and exporters. The chamber foresaw that import arrivals during the holiday break could result in additional charges on container storage, detention and demurrage, which would ultimately result in price increases.
The Land Bank of the Philippines also informed CCCI that it will be open on Dec. 30 to service the banking needs of business. (PR)
