Daily TribuneCustoms Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the meeting seeks to promote transparency, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and ensure that all actions taken while the case is pending are consistent with existing laws and regulations.
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Saturday called on government agencies and other stakeholders to work together in addressing issues surrounding the alleged e-waste shipments in Subic, following calls from an environmental group for immediate government action.
To facilitate coordination, the BoC has scheduled an inter-agency meeting on Monday aimed at bringing together all concerned parties to better understand the situation, clarify the roles and responsibilities of each agency, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and identify practical and lawful solutions moving forward.
Invited to the meeting are 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, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Environmental organizations, including the Basel Action Network, Sustainable Electronics Recycling International, and the Ecowaste Coalition, have also been invited.
The coordination meeting comes as the BoC continues to pursue legal remedies involving the alleged e-waste shipments. The case remains under judicial review and is currently on appeal through the Office of the Solicitor General.
Given the pending litigation, the Bureau said it is constrained from discussing the specifics of the case but stressed that it remains fully engaged in the legal process in accordance with the law.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the meeting seeks to promote transparency, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and ensure that all actions taken while the case is pending are consistent with existing laws and regulations.
“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-kanilang roles, at ang mga batas at regulasyong dapat sundin. The coordination meeting will help make sure that all actions are coordinated and carried out in compliance with the law,” Nepomuceno said.
