Labor fees on release of relief rice waived

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs-Cebu waived overtime payment for some of its personnel who will take charge in the release of the remaining 58 container vans loaded with donated rice from Algeria to the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7.

BOC-Cebu deputy collector for operations Paul Alcazaren said he already approved the request of DSWD-7 to waive the overtime payment for at least four personnel in-charge in the release of the said shipment.

"Amoa nang gi-waive ang overtime payment. I already approved their request. The releasing of the shipment started Friday," said Alcazaren.

The 58 container vans are part of the 175 container vans donated by Algeria which were intended for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

Earlier, DSWD-7 blamed government's bureaucratic red tape on why the release of these shipments took a long time resulting to a demurrage and storage fees of about P14 million payable by the latter.

BOC-Cebu has required DSWD-7 to get an import permit for the rice shipment from the National Food Authority.

It took more than a month before such permit was released while the demurrage and storage fees continued to balloon.

The requirement of an import permit is mandatory in all imported rice shipment, according to NFA-7 information officer Lucy Rosales.

BOC-Cebu in their press statement clarified they are not the cause of delay on the release of the shipment.

BOC-Cebu said it has made it clear that there is a standing order from BOC Central Office that all charges, fees, duties and taxes for the shipment are considered waived and exempted for donated goods.

The statement added that it was not immediately released as DSWD-7 has unpaid payables to the shipping company.

"BOC-Cebu has no control over fees charged by private business involved," the statement read.

BOC-Cebu said they are doing their best to coordinate with DSWD to hasten the delivery of relief goods to Yolanda victims.  (FREEMAN)