THE American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines welcomed a Bureau of Customs (BOC) order streamlining rules on the temporary admission of foreign-owned and foreign-registered international cable-laying and repair vessels.
"This represents an important step toward reducing procedural uncertainty and improving the efficiency of customs processes for highly specialized vessels that support global connectivity and digital resilience," AmCham said in a statement.
"A more efficient and predictable regulatory environment for these operations will also help strengthen the Philippines’ competitiveness and attractiveness as an investment destination by reinforcing the country’s reliability as a regional digital and connectivity hub and supporting continued investment in digital infrastructure."
The new rules seek to adopt transparent customs procedures aligned with international standards and best practices while facilitating the timely and cost-efficient implementation of submarine cable and repair projects, the BOC said.
The initiative came as the government moved to facilitate submarine cable and offshore energy projects deemed critical to the country’s digital and energy infrastructure.
AmCham said it backed ongoing efforts to align customs procedures with the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and international best practices.
The business group recommended extending the allowable “short-term presence” period to 30 days, with an option to extend for an additional 30 days.
It noted that cable repair and installation operations were often highly time-sensitive, weather-dependent and operationally complex, requiring flexibility to ensure uninterrupted and timely completion of critical works.
"These refinements would further strengthen clarity, consistency, and operational efficiency while preserving effective customs administration and regulatory oversight," AmCham said.
