More imported used cars arriving at Cagayan ecozone

TUGUEGARAO CITY – At least 300 imported second-hand cars are expected to arrive this week at the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) in Port Irene amid the ongoing Senate investigation into alleged smuggling in the area.

“We will continue importing used cars from Japan and Korea until the Supreme Court or a higher authority, which means the Office of the President, orders us to stop,” said CEZA deputy administrator Nilo Aldeguer.

The latest batch of used cars was supposed to arrive at Port Irene last week but the shipment was delayed when typhoon “Karen” hit the pro-vince.

Aldeguer said CEZA, created through Republic Act 7922, would limit the operations of new investors engaging in the importation of used cars to enable the agency to strictly monitor the entry of such vehicles and prevent smuggling.

Port Irene became a haven of imported used cars after a regional trial court in Zambales issued a temporary restraining order stopping the entry of such cars at the Subic Bay Freeport four years ago.

Since then, at least 9,000 used Asian utility vehicles had arrived through Port Irene, with buyers coming from all over the country.