Marcos Orders 24/7 Shipment Processing for DA and BOC

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has mandated continuous, 24/7 shipment processing by teams from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to enhance nationwide shipping efficiency.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Palace confirmed that President Marcos made this announcement during a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) – Infrastructure Sector Group on Wednesday. Prominent business leaders present included Enrique Razon, Manuel Pangilinan, Eric Ramon Recto, Joanne de Asis, Ramoncito Fernandez, Rogelio Singson, Christian Gonzalez, and Daniel Aboitiz.

Ensuring Around-the-Clock Operations

The President emphasized the necessity for uninterrupted operations, stating, “In this business, there’s no after-hours. It’s ready 24/7. So, let’s not put an extra team, let’s just keep it running. Whatever you have there in the day, let the same number of people (be there) all 24 hours.” He proposed implementing three eight-hour shifts to maintain constant operations.

PSAC’s Recommendation and Presidential Response

The PSAC had recommended that the DA and BOC adopt a shifting schedule to facilitate round-the-clock shipping operations. This strategy aims to ensure continuous inspection, clearance, and payment processes, thereby reducing costs and time, according to the Palace.

Automation Progress

This move complements ongoing efforts to modernize the BOC, which has already automated 91.8 percent of its processes. Continuous operations are expected to further streamline shipment processing, enhancing the efficiency of the Philippine shipping industry.