VALUE-ADDED service provider (VASPs) InterCommerce Network Services Inc. (INS) was the first to have its accreditation with the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) renewed for another year.
With the recommendation of the VASP accreditation committee (VAC), Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon approved the accreditation renewal of INS and another VASP, Cargo Data Exchange Center Inc’s (CDEC), with validity until March 31, 2014.
In VAC’s meeting with the technical working group (TWG) on March 26, it was resolved that both VASPs had complied with their respective service level commitment, have performed the mandated functions of reaching out to stakeholders of the BOC and transmitting electronic transactions to the bureau, had been compliant with the TWG evaluation procedures; had paid the required fees; and had been contributing vital functions to the BOC such that disruption of the VASPs’ operations would impact the bureau’s operations.
As of press time, the accreditation of E-Konek Pilipinas Inc., the customs bureau’s third VASP, has not been renewed and is under provision.
BOC deputy commissioner and VAC chairperson Ma. Caridad Manarang said in a text message to PortCalls that “E-Konek is being requested to transfer its communication link to BOC to the same link INS and CDEC are using.
“Their system has to be tested first and evaluated. It is not a mere case of transferring. They have to prove that their systems work.
“We will decide on their accreditation after testing and evaluating their system,” Manarang said.
INS has been in the business of providing value-added services since 1987, CDEC in 1995 and E-Konek in 2002.
VASPs, according to Republic Act No. 7925 Section 3, paragraph H, is “an entity which, relying on the transmission, switching and local distribution facilities of the local exchange and inter-exchange operators, and overseas carriers, offers enhanced services beyond those ordinarily provided for by such carriers.”
Image from www.intercommerce.com.ph
