Philippine Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon recently issued a memorandum reminding all port and sub-port collectors on the strict implementation of the electronic On-Line Release System (OLRS). The manual release of import shipments will be allowed only upon authorization from the Office of the BOC Commissioner.
As of today, the following customs port & sub-ports have identified their respective timelines for mandatory e-OLRS implementation:
Port of Cebu – 07 January 2013
Mactan subport – 07 January 2013
Port of Davao – 16 January 2013
Port of Gensan – 16 January 2013
Other customs ports are expected to announce their own implementation schedules.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that in sub-port Tagoloan/Phividec, Mindanao International Container Terminal Services Inc (MICTSI) is already strictly implementing e-OLRS since the start of this year.
Leo V. Morada is a domain expert on IT applications in Philippine port operations with 25years senior IT management experience implementing technology solutions in port operations, electronic transactions with customs & port authority, and port community system applications. He is currently CEO of Cargo Data Exchange Center, Inc, a customs-accredited Value Added Service Provider. He can be contacted at lmorada3f1@yahoo.com.
