Vision
PCCI is the voice of Philippine business recognized by government and international institutions. As a proactive catalyst of development, PCCI promotes and supports the drive for globally competitive Philippine enterprises in partnership with government, local chambers, and other business organizations.
Mission
The main responsibility of PCCI is to provide focused advocacy for business growth and sustainable development by providing business services for the advancement of grassroots entrepreneurship, chamber development, international trade relations, business innovation and excellence, and operating efficiency. These will be achieved through a professional organization working in close cooperation with various stakeholders in public and private sectors.
PCCI backs strengthening of trade facilitation measures
(Left to right) Policy Officer for Trade Facilitation, Joyce Lansangan, Assistant Secretary-General Neri Kasten, Co-Chair for Shipping Agapito Capistrano, EDC Deputy Executive Director Elsa Paz Valenzuela, PCCI President George Barcelon, BOC Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, Philexport President and PCCI Trade Facilitation Chairman Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., Philexport Vice President Armando Victoria, BOC Deputy Commissioner Vener Baquiran, BOC Atty. Nicolas Kyamko III
In a courtesy visit to Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) led by its President, Mr. George T. Barcelon emphasized the importance of digitalization and 24/7 operations at the ports to expedite customs processes, address ports congestion and facilitate trade. Barcelon acknowledged that the 24/7 payment transaction scheme is now being implemented through several banks.
Raising the subject of fiscal sustainability, Philexport President and PCCI Chairman for Trade Facilitation, Mr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. pushed forward the proposal to grant amnesty to importers with unsettled obligations with the BOC. Ortiz-Luis noted that unlike the Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner, the Customs Commissioner has no power to give amnesty, thus the need for the Customs Amnesty Act. The proposed legislation will grant importers who voluntarily disclose previously unliquidated or matured bonds to secure payment of customs duties and other charges, amnesty from civil and criminal prosecution. It provides that these importers pay their uncollected taxes and duties through an amnesty. If enacted, the legislation could help answer the challenge of the administration to raise additional revenues without imposing new taxes.
Commissioner Ruiz committed for BOC to work with the PCCI and the Philexport in the review of the implementation scheme and other factors that would make the 24/7 operation efficient and effective and will support the private sector while on its lobby for the Customs Amnesty Act to the Congress.
A follow-up meeting will be called to update PCCI and Philexport on the items raised in the matrix of issues the two organizations submitted. These cover the Customs Bonded Warehouse operations, E-TRACC, guidelines, requirements and procedures on the implementation of the Certificate of Origin (CO) and electronic CO, TradeNet and National Single Window and other customs and trade facilitation issues. --- Joyce Lansangan