Deal harmonizing Customs systems in Subic, Clark inked

Businesses in Subic and Clark will have an easier time bringing in goods in the two freeports after the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark Development Corp. (CDC), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) signed an agreement to harmonize customs systems and procedures.

SCADC chairman Edgardo Pamintuan said the agreement is in line with the plan of the government to open an economic corridor in order to make trade with the Philippines easier.

In particular, he said the agreement will open trade linkages with Taiwan specifically the Taiwan Export Processing Zone Authority.

“The MOA and Joint Memorandum Order (JMO) will be harmonizing the Immigration, customs and quarantine (ICQ) procedures and policies to facilitate a smooth and seamless transfer of goods and people to and from Subic and Clark, and the export processing zones in Taiwan,” Pamintuan said.

He further explained that with the implementation of harmonized ICQ procedures, goods from Taiwan could be transshipped to Subic or Clark on real time

In fact, SBMA administrator Armand C. Arreza said Taiwanese investors in Subic “are very happy” with the signing of the agreement.

“Our locators, particularly the Taiwanese firms, believe that through the harmonized ICQ program in place, doing business in Subic and Clark will be truly at par with world-class standard,” Arreza said.

“Now, we will have an environment where investors can see that their goods are being handled on time and processed in a transparent manner,” he added.

The agreement is expected to boost the competitiveness of the two Freeport zones as a preferred international investment and tourist destination.

For his part, BOC Commissioner Napoleon Morales said the new system will also be “our way of fighting corruption” as BOC offices in Subic and Clark will no longer be accepting cash for payments, which shall now be done on-line with banks.

Aside from the unified scheme, the signed agreement likewise provided for a National Single Window (NSW) program in Clark and Subic.

The NSW is a system that enables a single submission and synchronous processing of data and information, resulting in a single point of decision for the release of cargoes by the BOC.

A JMO on automated transit and admission declaration of cargo for Subic and Clark, which outlined the administrative and operational provisions for the automated cargo facility was also implemented.

The JMO will facilitate the conduct of business by providing, through the NSW program, a more efficient, less costly, and fully automated system for merchandise that are admitted, transited and transferred into and between the freeport zones.