Carry out long-delayed Customs computerization

AFTER Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena took over the bureau in 2017, he announced his intention to automate the processes in the bureau to streamline its services and thus facilitate trade and reduce corruption. The bureau, he said, has a five-day mandatory time for processing shipments. If there is delay, there is room for negotiation.

Actually, as early as 2013, the Bureau of Customs already had a 1418-million Integrated Philippine Customs System project, one of whose main pillars was “full computerization.” With computerization, there would be no contact between importers and customs employees; fixers would be out of business. Somehow, however, full computerization was never carried out.

Upon his assumption as customs chief in August, 2017, Commissioner Lapena announced a five-point program to stop corruption, increase revenues, facilitate trade, strengthen anti-smuggling efforts, and enhance personnel incentives. To carry out these goals he vowed to upgrade the computerization of customs systems and processes.

We recall all this in the face of the dispute involving Customs Commissioner Lapena and Director General Aaron Aquino of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) over four magnetic lifters found in Cavite believed to have been used to smuggle shabu. Two magnetic lifters were earlier intercepted at the Manila International Container Port with shabu valued at P2.4 billion.

A deputy collector at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport charged that customs officials had ignored early reports of shabu concealed inside the Cavite magnetic lifters, a charge picked up by the PDEA chief. Last Tuesday, Customs Commissioner Lapena said a drug syndicate appears to be behind the systematic demolition job against him.

The House Committee on Dangerous Drugs headed by Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has been holding hearings on the alleged shabu shipment, valued at 16.8 billion, that escaped detection in the magnetic lifters found in Cavite. The House probe should be able to determine if there was indeed such a shipment that managed to elude detection by the Bureau of Customs.

But it is only part of the bigger picture of drug operations in the country by syndicates which, Commissioner Lapena charged last Tuesday, are now hitting back with a demolition job against him. His plan to carry out the full computerization of customs operations by next year could be behind the demolition job.

Last Thursday, President Duterte decided to transfer Lapena to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and named Rey Leonardo Guerrero to replace him. In due time, the House probe should be able to clear the entire picture. Whatever its findings, Commissioner Lapena’s computerization plan should go through. It has been in the planning stage for so long, resisted by all those who benefit from the present system. It should be able to stop the irregularities that have given such a bad name to the Bureau of Customs for so long.