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      On March 2, 2023, the Port Calls hosted a Visayas Shipping Conference at the Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan. Speakers from various government offices and logistics industries were invited to discuss current effects of the Pandemic with various sectors in the logistics sector.

      The program began with Ms. Dolores Molintas, the OIC Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority of Region VII discussed the current status of the economy of Central Visayas, the effects of the Pandemic in Central Visayas as well as current government targets to improve Philippine Economic Development.

      The next Speaker Mr. Sammy Batista discussed future standards that may be implemented in the Philippines to Improve the standards of the Philippine Logistics Industry. As well as other academic and training programs that will be implemented in the Philippines to develop the Philippine Logistics Industry.

      Ms. Doris Torres discussed the initiatives by various sectors in the Philippines to streamline the requirements for registering and closing as a Freight Forwarder. She also discussed the definition of a freight forwarder.

      Mr. Bernard Macuto discussed current statistics in the CPA of Cebu as well as the trends of cargo movements through their ports as well as projected volumes. He also discussed the effects of the Pandemic with the Cebu Ports.

      Atty. Tomas Riveral discussed the facilities currently being utilized in the Port of Cebu as well as the effects of the Pandemic to port operators and stakeholders. Mentioned the continual decrease of container volume even in 2022.

      Ms. Anne Liwag-Inawat from Federal Express Pacific LLC explained the benefits and capacity of Federal Express and the variety of requirements by customers that they can cater to. How to keep an edge in logistics.

      Mr. Federico Escalona discussed matters on trade facilitation and discussed the challenges in regulating goods for export. BOC requirements for export for items such as shells must be reviewed depending on the classification.

      Mr. Conrado Abarintos from the Bureau of Customs Collection Department discussed the current programs of the Bureau of Customs with regard to the Port’s Trade Facilitation Efforts such as ISO certification, customer care portal system, revenue collection etc.

      Sponsors for this event were FedEx, Fast Logistics, Oriental Port and Allied Services Corporation, Asian Consolidation International Services Inc., Logi-Sys, Top Universe, Civic Merchandising Inc., 2GO, Cebu Pacific Cargo and Aratum.

      Partners for this event are Intercommerce and Universal Robina Corporation. Supporting Associations are PMTLAI, Phil Export, SCMAP, and Davao City Chamber of Commerce.