BOC Urged to Release Relief Goods

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has called on the Bureau of Customs to release the container vans which contain relief goods before these donated items become useless.

“Ang ako lang, I ask Customs, i-release na. Mga relief goods man kaha na. Sayang pud kaayo nangalata nana diha sa sud. Usik ba,” Davide said.

Davide’s appeal came after it was reported that several container vans containing relief goods are being withheld by the Customs at the Cebu International Port.

Several consignees said the Customs is allegedly charging them with huge amount for these shipments, to which the consignees refused to pay. The consignees said that donated items, specially for disaster-affected areas, must be free of charges and other fees like the demurrage fee.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development earlier lamented the BOC after its shipment reportedly for Yolanda victims was not released five months since it arrived at the Cebu port.

Davide said he also learned that there are a number of non-government organizations who complained of the same circumstance. With this, Davide appealed to the Customs to ease its rules on shipment of donated goods specially if these are perishable goods.