The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have agreed to resolve some existing issues affecting the supply chain of PEZA locators through the enhanced use of digital tools.
Tereso Panga, PEZA officer-in-charge director-general, in a social media post said his team recently met with acting BOC commissioner Yogi Ruiz, collector Alex Go for Cavite and the National Capital Region and collector Marife Recinto for Laguna to discuss how they can increase logistics efficiency and supply chain management.
Specifically tackled are the need to adopt the following: single general transport surety bonds for the electronic zone transfer system for ecozone importations and interzone movement of goods; selective and risk-based approach for the shipments to be covered by electronic tracking using eSEAL under the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo; and integration of PEZA electronic import payments system (EIPS) and the automated export documentation system (AEDS) to the BOC electronic to mobile system.
Panga said these measures aim to increase security and transparency in the processing and monitoring of import and export permits and documents.
“PEZA is one with the BOC and other participants in the local supply and global value chains in enhancing the ecozone business ecosystem,” he said.
Over the years, PEZA had introduced the EIPS and AEDS for ecozone locators, ahead of the BOC and other freeport authorities.
The BOC pursued the National Single Window, a computerized internet-based system that allows parties involved in trade to lodge information and documents with a singleentry point to fulfill all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements.
Panga said the heightened partnership with BOC and PEZA’s own initiatives are in response to the government’s call for digital transformation among government offices, which is a priority program.
PEZA has rolled out its online payment system and initiated other office automation projects (e.g., electronic LOAs, integration of different office automation systems, ecozone surveillance and the proposed electronic visa application, building permit and ecozone fleet tracking systems, etc.) to enhance customer experience and its delivery of services. – Irma Isip
