Marcos orders DA, BOC to implement 24/7 shipment processing

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a non-stop deployment of teams from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure round-the-clock shipment processing nationwide.

In a statement on Thursday, the Palace said the President announced the order during a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) – Infrastructure Sector Group on Wednesday.

Present in the meeting representing PSAC were business leaders Enrique Razon, Manuel Pangilinan, Eric Ramon Recto, Joanne de Asis, Ramoncito Fernandez, Rogelio Singson, Christian Gonzalez, and Daniel Aboitiz.

READ: BOC: 91.8 percent of Customs processes now automated

“In this business, there’s no after-hours. It can – it’s ready 24/7. So, let’s not put an extra team, let’s just keep it running. Whatever you have there in the day, let the same number of people (be there) all 24 hours,” Marcos said during the meeting.

“So, three eight-hour shifts,” Marcos added.

According to the Palace, Marcos issued the order when the PSAC recommended that the DA and the BOC should have a shifting schedule to allow round-the-clock shipping operations.

The decision would allow continuous inspection, clearance, and payment processes, reducing costs and time, said the Palace, citing the PSAC.