Golden Dragon to set up shore reception facilities in all local ports

The government has awarded to the Golden Dragon International Terminals, Inc. (GDITI) a contract to set up shore reception facilities in government and private ports all over the country for the repository of solid and oily waste generated by ships whether engaged in domestic or foreign trade.

The contract was awarded to the GDITI in line with the ratification by the Philippine government of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ships of 1973 and 1978, also known as MARPOL 73/78, which was initiated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The convention will become part of the law on Sept. 15, 2004.

One of the requirements of the convention is the provision of shore reception facility where it will be the repository of solid and oily waste generated by ships. In compliance with the convention, the Philippine Ports Authority conducted a public bidding resulting in the award of the contract to GDITI.

In a letter to Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo, PPA assistant general manager Benjamin Cecilio asked that the bureau issue a boarding pass to GDITI personnel who will board all vessels of 1973 and 1978 to collect solid and oily waste without any extra fee nor need for Customs accreditation.

In compliance with the convention and in line with the request of the PPA, Bernardo issued a Customs memorandum order last Friday instruction all port districts to issue boarding pass to GDITI personnel to board vessels calling on their port to collect solid and oily waste generated by the ships.

Cecilio also asked Bernardo that GDITI personnel be exempted from Customs accreditation as shore reception facility is a government project within PPA jurisdiction which is being implemented in compliance with an international agreement, GDITI personnel will be the only persons to be issued a boarding pass without first being accredited by the Bureau of Customs.