Multi-million X-ray machine left idle

BUREAU of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said on Wednesday, during the House of Representatives inquiry, that their agency needs at least P2.5 billion worth of x-ray machines to fully scan all of the container vans that pass through the ports all over the country.

The lack of X-ray machines in the country's ports came to light after the discovery of P6.4 billion worth of shabu that passed through the BoC's green lane without being subjected to x-ray machine examination.

Unknown to many though, that despite the admission of Faeldon that they lack working x-ray machines, there is one multi-million fixed xray machine in Davao City that's been left idle since 2009.

The said machine is located at the former Designated Examination Area (DEA) of the BoC inside the Acquarius Container Yard (ACY) owned by local businessman Rodolfo Reta just outside the Sasa port in Davao City.

Reta was granted a 25year contract by the BOC to operate the DEA back in 2006.

The contract, however, was unceremoniously rescinded by the BOC in 2009 after Reta reported misdeclaration of goods in some of the container vans passing through their multi-million x-ray machine.

About 40 container vans loaded with imported rice from Thailand were misdeclared as construction materials.

But instead of com-

mending Reta for the discovery, his contract was however surprisingly rescinded by then BOC Commissioner Napoleon Morales.

Then Davao Port District Collector Anju Nereo Castigador also padlocked the operation of Reta's Acquarius Container Yard which is the designated examination area of the BOC based on their contract with Reta.

The incident led to the filing of charges and counter-charges between Reta and the BOC that ultimately led to Castigador's dismissal from service as ordered by the Ombudsman. BOT (For full story visit www. sunstar.com.ph/davao/)