Top five importers need not seek Mangaoang's signature

The Bureau of Customs has given a special privilege to the top five importers of Cebu by cutting down the number of signatures, like that of Customs district collector Maria Lourdes Mangaoang, in their transactions to facilitate the immediate release of their shipments.

Mangaoang said she issued a memorandum last week to cut down the number of signatures for the transactions of the National Transmission Corporation, Norkis Group of Companies, San Miguel Corporation, Galvaphil and Energizer Philippines.

Mangaoang said that the transactions of these top importers of Cebu do not anymore need her signature for these to be released. She said the documents of these companies will be up to the level of her deputy collector for assessment only.

Mangaoang said her decision to cut down signatures for the release of the shipments of these companies is also in line with the action plan of Customs commissioner Napoleon Morales.

Morales who was in Cebu over the weekend to attend the inauguration of the new Customs building in Pier 5 said that his action plan gives priority to trade facilitation.

Transco, Norkis, San Miguel, Galva Phil and Energizer Philippines were the top importers in Cebu last year. In fact, the Bureau awarded them last December.

Transco paid at least P490 million in taxes with their importation of the submarine cables used in the Leyte-Cebu Interconnection Uprating Project. Norkis Group of Companies followed at far second with P208.5 million followed by San Miguel Corporation having paid P89 million in taxes, Galvaphil with P60.5 million, Energizer Philippines, Inc. at P53.8 million. - Fred P. Languido