CEBU, Philippines - The Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc.-Cebu Chapter (CCBI-Cebu Chapter passed a resolution urging Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon for the Customs-Cebu to utilize the Malacañang sa Sugbo (MSS), which is a “safer, more secure and structurally sound site.”
CCBI-Cebu Chapter president Leonardo “Ding” Abay-Abay in an interview with The FREEMAN said that it has been their position that the MSS, which is the old building of BOC-Cebu be returned to the latter as the rightful owner.
“It will not look good for a government revenue collection agency to hold office in a tent,” said Abay-Abay.
BOC-Cebu District Collector Ronnie Silvestre said that if they will not be allowed to go back to their own building, chances are they will be using a tent in order not to disrupt transactions.
“We will hold office in a tent and it never happened na walang transactions dahil wala kaming building,” said Silvestre.
Silvestre however said that if such scenario will happen, they will resort to manual transaction instead of a computerized one.
Philip Tan, newly-assumed president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that delaying the transfer of Customs-Cebu is an example of poor management and distorted vision within the government.
“Without considering the consequence of delays of goods, both import and export. The delay will increase the cost and consumers will have to pay for it,” Tan said.
The CCBI-Cebu Chapter in their resolution added that the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu City last February 6, 2012 has caused significant damage to their present location at the Cebu International Port compound, and that the damage poses danger to the transacting public as well as the Customs officials and employees.
“Safety and security compels the immediate transfer of the customhouse to prevent any further destuction of property or loss of, or injury to life,” the resolution further reads.
CCBI-Cebu Chapter is the accredited professional organization of customs brokers with an obligation to assist the transacting public and to protect the government’s interest.
The Cebu Port Authority, who owns the building currently occupied BOC-Cebu, has given them until December 8, 2012 to occupy the structure. (FREEMAN)