Pimentel bucks bid to transfer imports entry to Port Irene

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel Jr. (PDP-Laban) questioned yesterday a plan to transfer certain operations in the Subic Bay Freeport in Zambles, including the entry of imports, to the Port Irene special economic zone in Cagayan Province.


Pimentel expressed fears that the plan could aggravate the smuggling problem because it would be more difficult for customs authorities to monitor the movements of imported goods in Port Irene than in Subic Freeport.

"The proposal to transfer certain Subic operations to Port Irene is ill-advised. Smugglers and their patrons will have easier time there than in Subic," he said.

The planned transfer of certain Subic operations to Port Irene was discussed last Monday at a public hearing conducted by the Senate committee on government corporations and public enterprises.

It was earlier reportedd that the entry of second-hand car imports would be transferred from the Subic Freeport to Port Irene.

The senator from Mindanao said he had also received reports about the proposed renewal of timber licenses in Eastern Samar.

He said he was objecting to the renewal of the licenses because it is important to preserve the country’s remaining forests to maintain a sound ecological balance.