PR
In line with the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) commitment to prevent the importation of prohibited goods, the Bureau through the Port of Cagayan de Oro today February 13, 2020, reports that all the waste illegally shipped into the Philippines in 2018 shall be shipped out within the month.
In 2018 a shipment declared as plastic flakes was alerted and was verified to contain mixed non-biodegradable wastes. A warrant of seizure and detention was then issued against the shipment and cases for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and R.A. 6969. The process of re-exportation was then conducted by the Bureau through the Port of Cagayan de Oro. The first shipment of re-exportation was successfully done in January 13, 2019 which included 51 40-foot containers.
In his statement, Port of Cagayan de Oro District Collector Jon Simon said that in January 19, 2020 an additional 50 containers were shipped back to South Korea. The CDO Chief further explained that additional batches shall be re-exported on February 16, 2020 and February 23, 2020 which shall bring the total re-exported wastes to 201 containers and shall finally rid the country of the illegally imported wastes.
Collector Simon thanked all those involved in successfully sending back the wastes to South Korea and stressed that the Bureau, under Commissioner Rey Guerrero, shall remain firm in its commitment in protecting the country’s borders from the entry of any illegal shipments including wastes that are harmful to the environment.
