Customs intercepts containers of waste materials from US at Subic port

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday, October 21, intercepted an illegal shipment of waste materials from the United States at Subic Bay Freeport.

BOC Port of Subic District Collector Maritess Martin said the two container vans were consigned to Bataan 2020, Incorporated.

Martin said they were alerted on the two containers which were part of the 30 shipments leaving the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation.
 
She said the seized shipment was declared as “American old corrugated cartons for repulping.”
 
An examination of the shipment was still being done to identify the volume and the nature of the prohibited waste materials.
 
The consignee is facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tarrif Act (CMTA) and other related environmental laws.
 
“As the world shifts to promote an environmental friendly approach, the Bureau of Customs remains committed in enforcing strict border security and advocating environment protection,” Martin said.

Martin said the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Enforcement and Security Service and Assessment Division carried out the operation, and representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also joined the inspection.

Following an increase in garbage shipments to the Philippines in recent years, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon filed Senate Bill No. 18 or  the Waste Importation Ban Act of 2019 last year.

The proposed measure seeks to ban the importation of waste to the Philippines, with violators facing up to P15 million in fines or imprisonment for up to 12 years. (READ: How to keep imported waste out of the Philippines) – Rappler.com