The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Subic is implementing a round-the-clock work schedule in response to appeal from shippers and freight forwarders for uninterrupted service from the agency.
Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina last week approved 24/7 operations at BOC Subic for processes involving all inbound and outbound cargoes, particularly in the x-ray, transshipment, and customs clearance areas (Tipo Gate), according to BOC-Subic District Collector Bonifacio de Castro.
“Pending issuance of official memo, we are now implementing said directive effective immediately,” De Castro said in a text message to shippers.
Deputy Commissioner for Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group Atty Agaton Uvero said BOC will pay the overtime fees but this will have to go through a process to be worked out with the Internal Administration Group.
Asked if shippers need to first submit letters requesting work beyond normal office hours, De Castro said this was “not necessary because we’re assigning personnel to man these offices 24/7”. Still, the bureau would appreciate such letters for BOC’s reference, he added.
Subic-Clark Alliance for Development executive director Erlinda Pamintuan said in text messages to PortCalls that the expanded work hours is a concession to shippers and freight forwarders seeking non-stop operations at the port. Such request was also formally communicated by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to Customs commissioner Alberto Lina and well as his predecessor John Phillip Sevilla.
On his first week on the job, Lina had said he plans to revive a 2005 memo he himself issued that called for a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. work schedule at all BOC ports.
Pamintuan explained that many of Subic port’s shippers are manufacturers with “irreverent” deadlines for both inbound and outbound shipments.
She added there is a crucial need for 24/7 services by x-ray and Customs personnel at the One-Stop Shop (OSS).
The OSS, which formally opened last month, houses under one roof BOC-Subic Port and SBMA personnel involved in processing import documents; it is just a few steps away from the billing area of Subic Bay International Terminal Corp, the Subic port operator.
Prior to the port congestion in Manila, Pamintuan said the volume at Subic port did not merit a 24/7 work schedule at BOC. “During the few times it was needed, the collectors allowed it. But now more shippers are using Subic port and the need for overtime is pressing.”
Last year, Subic port handled 77,177 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 106% jump from just 37,469 TEUs in 2013. The port is now being served by six shipping lines—APL, Wan Hai, Maersk Line, SITC, NYK Line, and Swire Shipping.
For 2015, SBMA targets handling 120,000 TEUs, or 20% of the 600,000 TEUs combined annual capacity of New Container Terminals 1 and 2. – Roumina Pablo
