The Bureau of Customs has called an inter-agency meeting to address issues surrounding alleged illegal electronic waste shipments at the Port of Subic, following calls from environmental groups for government action.
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the meeting aims to clarify the roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in handling the contested cargo, which remains the subject of pending court proceedings.
The meeting is expected to include representatives from the Office of the Solicitor General, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and environmental groups such as the Basel Action Network, Sustainable Electronics Recycling International, and EcoWaste Coalition.
Nepomuceno said the BOC is pursuing available legal remedies in connection with the e-waste shipments, with the case under judicial review and on appeal before the proper courts through the OSG.
“Habang nasa ilalim pa ng judicial review ang kaso, mahalaga na magkausap ang lahat ng concerned agencies at stakeholders para mas malinaw nating maunawaan ang isyu, ang kani-kaniyang roles, at ang mga batas at regulasyong dapat sundin,” Nepomuceno said.
“The coordination meeting will help make sure that all actions are coordinated and carried out in compliance with the law,” he added.
The BOC said operations at the Port of Subic remain normal despite the ongoing legal proceedings.