As part of our commitment and continuing advocacy to facilitate the immediate and full utilization of the Batangas International Port (BIP) by our ecozone locators, we are pleased to extend anew for another year, from January to December 2014, the 50% reduction in all PEZA processing fees for ecozone import/export full-container load (FCL) shipments to be discharged or loaded at the BIP.

We are glad to note that since we started this advocacy in 2008 through our conduct of seminars for ecozone locators and the grant of reduced processing fees in 2011 for ecozone shipments in BIP, the utilization of the said port by our ecozone locators has now increased.

However, we need to bring-in more container volumes and at the same time enhance the trade facilitation services at the BIP so we can be assured of more ship calls and freight cost savings to the benefit of our ecozone locators and all BIP users and stakeholders.

As such, we urge once again our valued ecozone locators to make an extra effort to promote and maximize the use of the BIP by nominating in the Bill of Lading the discharge and/or loading of their containerized cargoes via the said port. As key drivers of seaborne trade, the ecozone locators can do so much to help balance the port container traffic distribution by shifting their CALABARZONdestined shipments from Manila ports to the BIP.

For any support or assistance you may need with you BIP shipments, you may contact:

• BIP-PEZA Customs Documentation Unit (PCDU) c/o Mr. Dwight T. Abejero, Enterprise Service Officer (tel. nos.: 043-7271249, 043-9842300 and 0999- 7475652); and
• ATI/MCC concerns c/o Mr. Jun Hermes M. Balita, ATI Manager for Government Liaison and Customer Service (tel. nos. 02-5286000 loc. 128 and 0917-8739399).

Thank you very much for your continued support to PEZA.

(SGD) LILIA B. DE LIMA
Director General