CLARK FREEPORT – Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, President and CEO of Clark Development Corporation (CDC), recently led a hybrid meeting with nine (9) government agencies to streamline aviation sector processes on October 24, 2024.
CDC, as the approving authority for the movement of goods into and out of the Clark Freeport Zone through its Trade Facilitation Division (TFD), initiated the focused group discussion. The goal was to enhance and improve the import and export turnaround time for aircraft parts, tools, equipment, petroleum, and chemicals used in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services.
Clark hosts 39 aviation locators, generating USD 622 million in investments and nearly 2,000 jobs as of June this year.
These numbers are expected to grow significantly in the next two to three years, attracting more investments from expanding airlines, MROs, and aviation manufacturing and allied services.
CDC urged the agencies to adopt measures to expedite tax assessment, approval, and green lane cargo release, while maintaining regulatory standards and compliance with existing laws and regulations.
Under Philippine regulations, the entry of specific goods and chemicals is assessed for taxation and subjected to law enforcement regulations to prevent illegal use. The Philippines supports the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 and Republic Act No. 10697, which aims to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
CDC and the cooperating agencies plan to formalize an agreement to institutionalize these reforms and partnerships for the aviation sector’s benefit.
The meeting included representatives from the Bureau of Customs Port of Clark (BOC Clark), Bureau of Internal Revenue Excise Large Taxpayers Regulatory Division (BIR-ELTRD), Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP FEO), Department of Trade and Industry Strategic Trade Management Office (DTI STMO), and Export Marketing Bureau (DTI EMB). Representatives from the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) also attended. Executives from the aviation sector participated as resource persons.
