IF the Bureau of Customs (BOC) turns down with finality its call for an overhaul of x-ray scanning processes at ports, the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) will just push for the 24/7 delegation of cargo examiners.
CTAP’s initial proposal called for cargo x-ray examination at a duly designated area within the port right after the cargo is discharged from the vessel. The current situation requires the x-ray exam to be conducted after the cargo has been loaded onto trucks.
“If BOC is really keen on keeping the status quo in its x-ray scanning procedures then we will just ask them to assign customs examiners at the port 24 hours a day,” CTAP president Ruperto Bayocot told PortCalls.
BOC examiners currently work from 8am to 5pm so no examination is conducted beyond 5pm.
“X-ray scanning usually lasts until the wee hours of the morning but cargo movement is interrupted due to the absence of an examiner. But if you conduct x-ray scanning right after the cargo is discharged at the port, the examination can be confined within the eight-hour work period and there will be no lull (for truckers),” Bayocot said.
CTAP member truckers reportedly suffer a two-day delay before cargo is finally motored out of the port. There are additional delays if the cargo arrives at night and no examiner is present.
According to CTAP, about 25% of the contract price of the carriage of cargo is shouldered by truckers waiting for cargo to be cleared.
