Two BOC top officials tasked to solve ‘port congestion’

BUREAU of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has issued a “special order” tasking two of its top officials, Deputy Commissioner Agaton Uvero and Assistant Commissioner Vincent ‘Jet’ Maronilla, to spearhead the effort to solve the long-standing problem of port congestion in all the country’s major ports of entry.

Both respected lawyers on customs matters, Uvero is currently the head of the Assessment Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) while Maronilla is in charge of the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG).

Prior to the issuance of the CSO, Commissioner Nepomuceno personally conducted a walkthrough inspection of an air cargo warehouse facility at the Port of NAIA to observe traffic flow, cargo handling processes, and overall warehouse operations.

The visit allowed the Commissioner to assess firsthand the operational challenges encountered by stakeholders and identify practical measures to improve the efficiency of cargo movement and customs clearance.

In his announcement, the Customs Chief said the Technical Working Group-STF to be headed by his two ranking subordinates is expected to “develop coordinated and responsive measures to improve cargo movement and clearance, address concerns involving the return and monitoring of containers and Unit Load Devices and resolve operational bottlenecks affecting trade facilitation.”

Joining Uvero and Maronilla in the STF are the District Collectors of the Manila International Container Port, the Port of Manila, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), together with the Director of the Port Operations Service (POS).

Recognizing that port operations require a whole-of-government and multi-stakeholder approach, the TWG/STF is also tasked to work closely with key government agencies, including the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Philippine Ports Authority, Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp.

It is also expected to engage with the agency’s other private sector stakeholders, including customs brokers, logistics providers, trucking groups, port users, warehouse and container yard operators, and PEZA locators to ensure that operational concerns are addressed through collaborative and practical solutions.

Aside from reporting directly to him, Commissioner Nepomuceno also reminded the TWG/STF to seek additional guidance from the Department of Finance (DOF) thru the Office of the Undersecretary for Revenue Operations Group.

“The efficient movement of cargo is a shared responsibility that requires close coordination between government and the private sector.

Hindi natin ito kayang gawin kung magkakanya-kanya. Through this Task Force, we are bringing the right stakeholders and government agencies together to resolve operational issues quickly, keep cargo moving efficiently, and ensure that legitimate trade continues to flow while maintaining the integrity of our customs controls,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.

Addressing the problem of port congestion has been the latest instruction relayed to Commissioner Nepomuceno by Finance Secretary Frederick Go, the first time that a Finance Secretary has shown genuine concern to address the long festering problem repeatedly raised thru various administrations by waterfront stakeholders.