The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has restored to the customs district of Zamboanga the jurisdiction over the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, which had all been under the Cagayan de Oro (CDO) customs district.
The return of the three provinces to the Zamboanga customs district, which was made through Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 04-2020, is intended to “encourage economic development in the Zamboanga Peninsula through increased trade movement and facilitation…”
The three provinces are new additions to Zamboanga Port’s jurisdiction, which also includes Basilan Island, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and all islands and/or group of islands within the jurisdiction of these provinces. Zamboanga Port’s sub-ports include Basilan City, Jolo, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (Bongao).
Cagayan de Oro Port’s jurisdiction, on the other hand, includes Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin Island, and all islands within the jurisdiction of these provinces. Sub-ports include Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, and Ozamiz City.
CAO 04-2020 notes that under Section 206 (Customs Districts) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the customs commissioner, with the approval of the finance secretary, has the authority to change the limits of customs districts.
CAO 04-2020 was signed by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero on November 29, 2019 and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on December 11, 2019.
It repeals and amends CAO 07-88 issued in 1988 and Customs Memorandum Order No. 21-89, issued in 1989.
BOC currently has 17 districts, namely, Aparri, Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Clark, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Limay, Manila International Container Port, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Port of Manila, San Fernando, Subic, Surigao, Tacloban, and Zamboanga.
