Group urges Lina to take on reforms

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc. (Seipi) has urged newly appointed Customs Commissioner Alberto D. Lina to pursue crucial pro-business reforms that will boost the industry’s competitiveness amid high power costs, inadequate infrastructure and logistics inefficiency.

Seipi president Dan Lachica said the reforms included the streamlining of imports and exports processes for faster clearances; putting in place 24/7 operations of airports and ports even during holidays; and establishing a paperless system at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to eliminate red tape.

The group is also pushing for reforms to ensure transparency in all procedures and charges; eliminate redundancies in process and non-value activities and fees; and secure proper staffing to abolish overtime charges by Customs employees assigned to the facilities of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).

“Commissioner Lina has been a long-time friend of the industry. He believes and understands the competitive business environment that the electronics companies must operate in for it to contribute to the country’s inclusive growth. The industry is confident that the Commissioner will consider the inputs of the industry first before enacting any orders that may have a detrimental impact on the exporters’ operations,” Lachica explained.

This year alone, local players in the electronics industry have been saddled with numerous Customs problems that impeded business operations, Lachica said.

Problems include the BOC stuffing policy, no advanced processing, and suspension of port operations during holidays, among others.

This is on top of other concerns such as power supply, infrastructure and the country’s logistics systems.