Automated transit and cargo declaration at SBMA,Clark

By. Fred M. Roxas – Manila Bulletin

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The Clark Development Corp. (CDC), and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) have signed here with Taiwan a memorandum of agreement to establish an Automated Transit, Admission and Declaration of Cargo system at the CDC and SBMA.

The objective is to facilitate and harmonize customs systems and procedures in two Philippine economic zones and the Taiwan ecozone, according to Philippine officials.

The agreement is designed to ensure and integrated and coordinated aproach to the development of the Clark-Subic Economic Corridor as a competitive world-class logistics center in the Asia Pacific Region.

Pamintuan explained that the agreement mandates CDC and BCDA to adopt, prepare and implement comprehensive and detailed plans for the conversion of the former Clark and Subic military facilities and their extensions consistent with the plans and programs of the national and local governments.

One principal provision of the newly-signed agreement is to facilitate trade and business, increase the transparency in cargo processing, provide accurate, timely and cost-efficient exchange of information, reduce customs operational costs and enhance revenue collections, he said.