CEZA defends importation of over 800 used cars despite ban

The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) has defended the importation of more than 800 second-hand cars from Japan and South Korea amid an import ban from the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

In a report on “News to Go” Wednesday, CEZA officer-in-charge Engr. Julian Jovy Gonzales said the importation does not violate any laws as the Aparri Regional Trial Court already issued a ruling on Nov.12, 2013 authorizing CEZA to grant import permits.

A total of 847 vehicles reportedly arrived at Port Irene in Sta. Ana, Cagayan from Dec. 14, 2013 to Jan. 27, 2014. Port Irene is under the jurisdiction of CEZA.

“Based on the court decision from Aparri, they compelled CEZA to grant import permit to those importers. The import permit granted by CEZA is good only for CEZA territory or within the freeport,” Gonzales said.



Gonzales said CEZA has its own jurisdiction and is not covered by the import ban of the BOC. He clarified though that the imported second-hand vehicles must be “confined” within the port.

“Naka-confine lang sa area yung mga used vehicle na yun until such time na i-process ng mga right agencies like BOC, LTO (Land Transportation Office) and BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue),” he said.

Executive Order 156 signed in 2002 by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directs the BOC  “to ban importation of all types of used motor vehicles and parts and components, except those that may be  allowed under certain condition.”

GMA News' visit at Port Irene revealed that some of the imported second-hand vehicles already have plate numbers.

But Gonzales said these vehicles were not included in the 847 that arrived from December 2013 to January 2014 in three shipments.

He said the used vehicles with plate numbers belong to earlier batches of shipment, adding these vehicles already have gate passes and are just awaiting buyers.

Based on CEZA's policy, imported vehicles which remain unprocessed after three months must be confiscated by the agency or must be brought back to the port of origin, with the shipment expenses to be shouldered by the importers. — Elizabeth Marcelo/KBK, GMA News