The good news for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Cebu is that it has been allowed to stay in its present office for six more months.
The bad news is that it has to pay the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) P4.1 million in accumulated rent arrears.
The CPA had given the BOC until August 31 to use its property, but this was extended to another six months after President Aquino reportedly directed Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to intervene.
“The President through Secretary Abaya requested for an extension of the BOC’s use of the building for another six months,” Karen Gonzales, media liaison officer of the CPA told CDN.
The BOC started renting out the CPA building in the North Reclamation Area September 2005.
Gonzales said the BOC was to pay them P50,000 a month. The BOC however had been remiss in its obligations, failing to pay the CPA for 82 months rent or since Oct. 15, 2006, thus the accumulated arrears of P4.1 million.
The CPA, Gonzales added expects the BOC to pay their rental obligation in full when the latest extension expires on February 28, 2014.
Cebu Daily News contacted Cebu District Collector Edward dela Cuesta, but he declined to comment. /Michelle Joy L. Padayhag, Correspondent