Customs to implement fuel-marking systems

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) will now implement its fuel-marking system to curb oil smuggling, the BOC commissioner said on Tuesday.

“We are going to implement it, maybe next year. But if we do that it will just be around six centavos per liter then we can stop smuggling. Because of that we can monitor up to the last liter how much fuel we are bringing into the country,” commissioner Nick Faeldon, said during the Senate hearing on Ways and Means—Department of Finance tax reform.

Faeldon added that “Right - count for the volume of fuel we have in this country. That marking will give us an accurate data about how much volume of fuel were bringing into the country. First quarter [next year], as along as we are done with the consultation with them [port stakehold- ers]. I’m sure they cannot defend their position.”

Earlier, Customs assured that the system will be strictly enforced once the fuel-marking system is re- introduced adding that fuelmarkings would not affect oil pump-prices in the country.

In July last year, the Customs said the agency was in the coming up with the terms of reference ( TOR) for the planned fuelmarking system.

Also the agency reiterated that fuel- markings would not affect oil pump-prices in the country. They said the cost of these should be shouldered by oil companies, adding the agency will have pilot testings in Visayas or Mindanao.

The fuel-marking scheme was former President Gloria Arroyo but was discontinued in the middle of former President Benigno Aquino