In a proactive move to streamline national logistics and improve ease of doing business, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) hosted a high-level consultative meeting to address the long-standing challenges of port congestion and empty container management.
The meeting, led by Deputy Commissioner Atty. Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero (Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group), brought together a diverse coalition of industry stakeholders. The delegation also included Deputy Commissioner Atty. Arnel P. Alambra (Revenue Collection Monitoring Group) and other key BOC officials.
Recognizing that logistics bottlenecks require a unified response, the forum served as a bridge between the public and private sectors. Attendees included:
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Importers and Customs Brokers
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Shipping Lines and Container Yard Operators
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Trucking Companies
The dialogue focused on identifying the root causes of delays in returning empty containers and the resulting ripple effects on port throughput. By facilitating direct communication between shipping lines and truckers, the BOC aims to eliminate the friction points that lead to terminal buildup.
“Under the direction of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, the Bureau is dedicated to more than just revenue collection; we are committed to being a partner in trade facilitation,” stated Deputy Commissioner Uvero. “This forum is a vital step in creating sustainable, real-world solutions that keep the Philippine supply chain moving.”
The Bureau of Customs reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing operational efficiency through:
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Sustainable Container Management: Developing clearer protocols for the return of empty units to decongest primary terminals.
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Stakeholder Synergy: Maintaining open channels of communication to resolve logistics disputes in real-time.
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Policy Optimization: Reviewing administrative hurdles that contribute to unnecessary port dwell times.
This initiative underscores the BOC’s ongoing mission to modernize trade processes and support the country’s economic momentum by ensuring a more fluid and predictable logistics environment.
