MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) will convene government agencies and environmental groups next month to discuss issues surrounding the alleged electronic waste shipments in Subic.

In a news release on Saturday, the bureau said the coordination meeting is scheduled for July 6 and will focus on the responsibilities of the agencies involved, compliance with existing laws and regulations, and possible legal and practical measures to address the issue.

The BOC said the meeting forms part of its efforts to pursue legal remedies over the alleged e-waste shipments, which remain under judicial review and are currently on appeal through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

Because the case is still pending before the courts, the bureau said it could not disclose specific details but stressed that it continues to participate in the legal proceedings in accordance with the law.

Among those invited to attend the meeting are representatives from the OSG, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Environmental organizations, including the Basel Action Network, Sustainable Electronics Recycling International and Ecowaste Coalition, were also invited.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the meeting aims to improve coordination among stakeholders while the legal process is ongoing.

“While the case is still under judicial review, it is important that all concerned agencies and stakeholders speak together so that we can more clearly understand the issue, their respective roles, and the laws and regulations that must be followed,” he said.

“The coordination meeting will help make sure that all actions are coordinated and carried out in compliance with the law.”

The bureau also said operations at the Port of Subic continue without disruption, adding that existing procedures remain in effect and coordination with partner agencies is ongoing to uphold environmental and regulatory safeguards.

Environmental groups earlier alleged that they monitored more than 200 containers of suspected electronic waste and one container of plastic waste from the United States in March.