SCMAP’s latest General Membership Meeting, held last 17 August at the Discovery Suites in Pasig, tackled the impact of shipping rates on supply chain competitiveness, providing a venue for discourse between various stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
Michael Kurt Raeuber, global chief executive officer of Royal Cargo and former president of the European Chambers of Commerce of the Philippines, kicked off the event with a presentation on the findings of a study he co-authored with Dr. Henry Basilio. There he argued that international shipping rates, particularly for routes serving Asia, are higher than they should be, because of avoidable charges being levied by some shipping lines.
Representing the Bureau of Customs is Atty. Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang, deputy collector for operations at the Port of Manila, attending in lieu of deputy commissioner Atty. Edward James Dy Buco. She notably was part of the technical working group that drafted the first version of the Customs Modernization and Tariffs Act, and she is also part of the group responsible for drafting the law’s implementing rules and regulations. She helped outline how the new law empowers the bureau to regulate shipping lines among other stakeholders.
Also offering his insights is Atty. Pete Aguilar, executive director of the Philippine Inter-Island Shipping Association. He argued for more support in domestic shipping lines’ efforts to improve supply chain competitiveness, particularly in port infrastructue, which remains below par in most parts of the country.
The GMM proved to be an important venue for stakeholders to discuss their concerns with regards to controlling shipping costs.
The event also saw the induction of five new members: CHN Trucks and Heavy Equipment, represented by Glory Ann Estoya; Personal Collection Direct Selling, represented by Eliza dela Cruz; Quick & Nimble, represented by Leah Landaos; Transnational Uyeno Safety Academy, represented by Christopher Lim; and individual member Alipio Bernardo IV.
SCMAP’s next General Membership Meeting is scheduled for 15 November, and will include elections for the organization’s next board of directors.