Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday assured that it will immediately implement a 24/7 deployment of teams to ensure an uninterrupted shipment process nationwide, as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
President Marcos earlier directed the DA and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to form three eight-hour working shifts to ensure round-the-clock shipment operations, following the recommendations of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC).
In a phone interview, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said this will be implemented at major airports and seaports in no time.
"Kausap ko iyong mga (I talked with our) regulatory agencies natin, BPI (Bureau of Plant Industry), and Bureau of Animal Industry, of course, they will comply doon sa instruction ni Presidente (to the President's instructions), and to have the necessary manpower for the more than 30 major ports nationwide. They will do it immediately," he said.
He assured that the said agencies have existing funds and manpower for the new shifting setup.
He said the DA-BOC collaboration will improve transactions in the country’s ports.
"With the 24/7 operations, mas magiging mabilis iyong mga transactions natin kasi kumbaga, iyong dating naman kasi ng mga barko, walang oras iyan (The transactions will be faster because the arrival of ships has no selected time)," De Mesa said.
He said it would also help boost logistics operations in line with the administration's food security goals.
"Mababawasan iyong delay sa product dahil palaging may mga tao na naka-handle o nagha-handle ng mga (The delays will be minimized with personnel continuously handling the) transactions," he said.
Earlier, the PSAC told Marcos that uninterrupted shipment operations will ensure unhampered inspection, including X-ray scanning, as well as clearance and payment procedures in the country's ports.
Coordination with stakeholders
The Bureau of Customs (BOC), meanwhile, said it is looking to coordinate with stakeholders to effectively implement the President’s directive.
In a statement Thursday, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said they fully support Marcos’ order recognizing the imperative need for round-the-clock operations to accommodate the increasing influx of shipments into the ports.
“Achieving a seamless 24/7 operation requires collaborative support from all stakeholders in the supply chain. This includes shipping lines, arrastre operators, terminal operators, warehouse facilities, financial institutions, and the trucking industry. These stakeholders play a vital role in ensuring efficient cargo release, encompassing several stages: pre-customs, customs proper, and post-customs processing stages, each crucial for efficient trade facilitation,” he added.
The BOC chief noted that the synchronization of operations among these stakeholders is essential to minimize delays and ensure the swift processing and release of cargo, contributing to the overall efficiency of the supply chain.
To further enhance trade facilitation, Rubio said the bureau has initiated various digitalization efforts, developing and implementing systems and projects to streamline customs processes, secure trade, and improve overall efficiency. (with Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
