Flexible work sked won’t disrupt frontline services, BOC assures

0
774

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) assures stakeholders of minimal to no disruption of its frontline services while a flexible working schedule is implemented in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive for a 29-day work suspension to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippines.

“BOC will be implementing a flexible work schedule consistent with the directive of the President. We assure the public that we shall do the same with minimal or no disruption to our frontline services,” BOC assistant commissioner and spokesperson Atty. Vincent Philip Maronilla said.

Asked if BOC would stop holding meetings with stakeholders during the 29-day period, Maronilla told PortCalls in a text message that BOC would continue to consult stakeholders “while observing guidelines on social distancing and limitations as to the number of participants.”

Consultations may also be done through the use of available online communication technologies, Maronilla added.

He also confirmed that the BOC Customer Assistance and Response Services (BOC CARES) and customs hotlines and emails will still be available to handle queries and concerns from stakeholders.

Duterte on March 12 announced that work in the Executive Department will be suspended from March 15 to April 12 as recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

The Department of Health has raised the COVID-19 alert level to the maximum Code Red Sub-Level 2, prompting the announcement to put Metro Manila in a “community quarantine” from March 15 to April 14, a move also recommended by the IATF.

Duterte also suspended land and domestic air and sea travel to and from Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14.

The movement of cargoes are exempt from the travel restriction, according to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago, in a text message to PortCalls on March 12, said they are still “trying to clarify” the coverage of the travel restriction.

READ: Cargoes exempt from Metro Manila travel ban

“Based on the IATF resolution, foreign ships bringing cargoes into the Philippines are not mentioned, so therefore no ban. Domestic cargo we are seeking clarification but I will assume no ban also, otherwise it will be a logistics nightmare,” Santiago said.

Under the community quarantine, the suspension of classes in all levels has also been extended until April 12.

Mass gatherings or “planned or spontaneous event where the number of people attending could strain the planning and response resources of the community hosting the event” are likewise banned.

An executive order will soon be issued to operationalize the President’s directive. Guidelines from concerned government agencies will follow.

The World Health Organization now considers COVID-19 a pandemic, as the virus has infected more than 125,000 people and killed 4,600 across 115 countries.

As of March 12, five people have died from COVID-19 in the Philippines.

Photo courtesy of BOC