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FILIPINO
businessmen protested newly imposed fees for the
scanning of incoming shipments in container vans saying
the rates are too high, which they contend contradicts
the government’s thrust to lower transaction costs for
businesses. The collection of the fees began Monday.
Samie
Lim, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, said they have sent a letter to President
Arroyo seeking deferment of Customs Administrative Order
4-2007, the implementing order.
Lim said
a suspension and review may lead to a re-computation of
the fees pegged at $25 per standard 20-footer container
van, and $50 for 40-footers.
“While
the business community is generally pleased with the
various programs initiated by government to curb
smuggling and better facilitate the inspection and
clearing of imported cargoes, the fees being charged to
the users are inconsistent with the government’s drive
to lower transaction and business costs related to trade
facilitation,” said Lim.
He said
the fees must be based on the actual cost of the
machines, terms of loan payment and other miscellaneous
cost related to its installation and maintenance.
The
chamber also said Customs is missing the real importance
of installing x-ray machines, which is to better
facilitate and increase trade volumes and transactions.
This is the way to drive up revenue collections of the
bureau and not in imposing “unreasonable fees,” they
added.
“While
we subscribe to the idea of having to bear additional
costs that will eventually translate to meaningful gains
for businesses and industries, we believe that such
costs must be accompanied with a reasonable
determination of fees not necessarily premised on
revenue generation,” added Lim.
The PCCI
position is supported by its affiliates such as the Port
Users Confederation Inc. and Cebu Chamber of Commerce
and Industry. PCCI membership includes 1,200 direct
members, 98 local chambers, 122 industry associations,
and 30 foreign business councils.
Chinese-made nonintrusive scanners are now installed in
the terminals or ports of Batangas, Cagayan de Oro,
Cebu, Davao,
Manila South Harbor, Manila International Container
Terminal, Subic and Zamboanga. |
