The Bureau of Customs has 14 district
ports and 31 subports that are scattered in strategic locations. These
ports, subports and airports are in the frontline of the bureau insofar
as the imposition of customs levies and tariffs are concerned.
DISTRICT PORT OF MANILA
The Port of Manila has been the
traditional and central base of the nation’s customs service.
Situated at the head of Manila Bay on the West Coast of Luzon Island,
this principal port of entry is divided into three main sectors -
the South Harbor, the North Harbor and the Lower Pasig River.
The South Harbor handles a big portion of international shipping.
It consists of the port area harbor installations and facilities south
of the Pasig River extending all the way to the premises of the famed
Manila Hotel. In contrast, the North Harbor caters specifically to
local or inter-island shipping. This sector is delineated by the piers,
north of the Pasig River up to the Estero de Vitas.
The Lower Pasig River sector – which roughly stretches from
the Jones Bridge leading to Binondo and the Escolta business districts
all the way to the mouth of the river – is primarily for local
shipping of small tonnage and shallow draft boats or barges.
Construction work on these piers commenced in 1937, was discontinued
at the outbreak of World War II, and resumed shortly after armistice.
Prior to the war, the South Harbor had four finger piers and a marginal
wharf for foreign ships of deep drafts. One of its piers was considered
at that time one of the finest in the world and the longest in the
Far East.
At the end of the war, sunken vessels littered the harbor. Most of
the port facilities were heavily damaged, rendering them almost totally
useless. The government started the gargantuan task of rehabilitating
and repairing Manila’s battered port facilities. In this task,
the United States provided crucial assistance.
Under the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946, otherwise known as
US Public Law of 370 enacted by the 79th Congress, the United States
allocated some P35 million for the Port of Manila. In addition, obstructions
to navigation along the channel leading to the piers were removed.
The US Army and Navy undertook the dredging of the channel.
Today, the port of Manila has four subports. These are the subports
of Limay, Mariveles, Masinloc, and Postal Branch.
The Clark Special Economic Zone was a former subport of Manila. In
November 2001, however, it was converted into a principal port of
entry by virtue of Executive Order No. 55 signed by President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo. The conversion was essential because of the zone’s
“expanding economic activity” and the fact that it will
add “prestige to the Clark Special Economic Zone.
