Senate President Angara; Senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; Cong. Montejo; Cong. Javier; Cong. Lopez, the other distinguished members of the Senate and of the House; my co-workers in the cabinet, ladies and gentlemen.

Today, I signed into law as Republic Act 7651, an Act entitled “to Revitalize and Strengthen the Bureau of Customs, Amending for the Purpose Certain Sections of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as Amended” as well as Republic Act 7652 entitled “an Act allowing the Long-Term Lease of Private Lands by Foreign Investors.”

These new laws are another testament to the continuing and joint commitment of the executive and legislative branches of government to bring about a bureaucracy more responsive to the needs of our people and a business climate more conducive to foreign investments.

We appreciate the efforts of the leaders and members of congress who have gone beyond ideological and party lines to ensure that these new laws are enacted.

What do we seek to achieve under these new laws? RA 7651 limits the period of filing the import entry and filing of the claim on the imported article to an unextendible period of forty-five days under pain of forfeiture. Since importers are under constraint to effect the early release of their cargoes, this new law will accelerate the collection of duties and taxes. The early releases of cargoes will also result in port decongestion and reduce opportunities for pilferage at the port of entry.

RA 7651 also provides for automatic appeal to the Commissioner of Customs and to the Secretary of Finance in cases of contested importation in which the decision of the collector of customs is adverse to the government. This lessens the opportunity for graft and corruption.

I enjoin all officials and agencies and sectors involved in the import industry to join the government in its drive to improve our import services and to eradicate graft and corruption in all our ports of entry by strictly adhering to the mandate of this law and all other laws, rules and regulations governing the importation of goods.
RA 7652 allowing the long-term lease of private lands to foreign investors is yet another effort to attract more foreign resources needed by our economy. This measure will improve our attractiveness as an investment destination in the ever-growing global economic community.

We have potentially the best labor force in Asia. The skills and efficiency of our workers are beyond question. While we continue to deploy them abroad, it is also the goal of this government to generate more jobs at home. This is why we want to make the Philippines a more attractive and hospitable destination for investors, traders and tourists. This way, fewer and fewer of our workers will be separated from their families.

With your continuing and solid support, ladies and gentlemen of Congress, we can make our country a nation of peace and prosperity in the shortest possible time. I shall count on Congress to push through the remaining economic bills in its current agenda before it adjourns.

Mabuhay “Philippines 2000!!!”

Maraming salamat po.