The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has launched a two-pronged effort to ease cargo congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), combining immediate operational measures with an interagency task force aimed at resolving long-standing bottlenecks across the country’s major ports and airports.
The initiative comes as rising cargo volumes continue to strain warehouse capacity and customs processing, highlighting the need for faster cargo movement to support trade and supply chains.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno ordered the creation of a Technical Working Group (TWG) and Task Force after personally inspecting cargo warehouse operations at NAIA, where he assessed traffic flow, cargo handling and customs clearance procedures contributing to shipment delays.
Among the bureau’s first interventions is the activation of a temporary staging area at the Columbia Complex in Parañaque, providing additional space for air cargo awaiting processing. Nepomuceno, together with NAIA District Collector Yasmin M. Obillos-Mapa, also inspected operations at People’s Air Cargo & Warehousing Co., Inc. to identify ways to improve cargo movement from aircraft arrival to warehouse release.
The BOC said the staging area is intended to ease warehouse congestion while supporting longer-term improvements in warehouse management and cargo handling.
The newly created task force will complement these operational measures by developing coordinated strategies to improve cargo clearance, address issues involving the return and monitoring of containers and Unit Load Devices, and strengthen trade facilitation across the country’s gateways.
The body will be chaired by Deputy Commissioner Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero, with Assistant Commissioner Vincent Phillip C. Maronilla serving as vice chair. It also includes the district collectors of the Manila International Container Port, Port of Manila and NAIA, as well as the director of the Port Operations Service.
The task force will work with the Departments of Finance, Transportation and Agriculture, the Philippine Ports Authority, Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, New NAIA Infrastructure Corp., customs brokers, logistics providers, trucking groups, warehouse operators and other industry stakeholders.
“The efficient movement of cargo is a shared responsibility that requires close coordination between government and the private sector,” Nepomuceno said. “Through this Task Force, we are bringing the right stakeholders together to resolve operational issues quickly, keep cargo moving efficiently, and ensure that legitimate trade continues to flow while maintaining the integrity of our customs controls.”
The BOC said pairing immediate decongestion measures with broader institutional reforms will help improve supply chain efficiency and support the country’s growing trade and logistics requirements.
