Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 707)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 707 is to open and declare the Port of Aparri as a Principal Port of Entry, thereby enhancing its capacity to accelerate economic growth and total development of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport.
The Cagayan Special Economic Zone is established under Republic Act No. 7922.
The policy is to actively encourage, promote, induce, and accelerate sound and balanced industrial, economic, and social development, especially in rural areas, by establishing special economic zones and free ports to attract legitimate and productive foreign investments.
The Commissioner of Customs has the authority to redefine the jurisdictional limits of the Collection District affected, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Finance.
The Port of Aparri is designated as the District Port of Aparri and the newly created Customs Collection District No. XV.
The entire provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and other areas as may be added by the Commissioner of Customs fall under the jurisdiction, excluding the areas covered by the Freeport under Republic Act No. 7922.
They must enter into a Memorandum of Agreement within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of the order to define their working relationships and the treatment of all cargoes entering or leaving the Freeport zone.
It shall be headed by a Collector of Customs V, assisted by Deputy Collectors of Customs as designated by the Commissioner of Customs.
The Commissioner of Customs is authorized, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Finance, to determine personnel requirements and issue orders for transfer or movement of personnel from any unit within the Bureau of Customs to the Port of Aparri, following civil service rules.
Funds will be drawn from the available funds of the Bureau of Customs, and subsequent appropriations will be included in its budget proposals, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws and procedures.
It took effect fifteen (15) days following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.