-
Discussions for the re-establishment of the Philippines Customs Laboratory are ongoing
-
The Bureau of Customs said an agreement may be possible toward the latter part of the year
-
BOC assistant commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla said the bureau is still discussing the re-establishment of the PCL with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and Korea International Cooperation Agency
-
The PCL plays a key role in the accurate chemical analysis of products to help determine the correct tariff classification and imposable duties on imports
Discussions for the re-establishment of the Philippines Customs Laboratory (PCL) are ongoing with an agreement hopefully signed by the latter part of the year, according to Bureau of Customs (BOC) assistant commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla.
“Right now, no concrete plans yet other than close discussions with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) on how to move forward with funding and what are the other requirements needed for that to happen,” Maronilla told media in an interview at the sidelines of BOC’s 122nd founding anniversary celebration on February 13.
In a separate Viber message to PortCalls, Maronilla said they are also in talks with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which last year renewed its commitment to re-establish the PCL.
He said the agency is hoping to sign an agreement with either of the official development assistant agencies by the second half of the year, but noted “KOICA is the one that has engaged us more about this initiative.”
Maronilla said Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio is “bent on pursuing” the re-establishment of the PCL because “that’s very important for us, especially at the advent of a lot of technicalities when it comes to declaration of goods.
“We would want to have our own personal capability in determining the kind of goods and the proper classification that we need to give these goods and a laboratory will help rather than just us having to be dependent on private laboratories for results.”
The BOC earlier acknowledged the essential role of the PCL in the proper and accurate chemical analysis of products. This analysis helps determine the correct tariff classification and imposable duties on imports, which is ideal for enhancing the collection performance of the BOC.
The PCL will also serve as an effective deterrent against technical smuggling through the use of scientific and technical expertise, advanced technology, and intelligence-driven strategies, and thus, will safeguard national security, protect revenue, and ensure public safety. Additionally, it will enhance border security efforts and promote international collaboration, information sharing, and best practices.
There were challenges encountered in re-establishing the PCL, including the lack of facilities and obsolete laboratory equipment.
Despite these, BOC said it remains steadfast in its commitment to the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement regarding the re-establishment of the PCL.
Aside from KOICA, BOC previously requested technical assistance from Indonesia and also discussed capacity building practices on chemical analysis with Japan Customs in line with the re-establishment of the PCL. – Roumina Pablo
