Official: Modernize, don't abolish Bureau of Customs

Instead of abolishing the Bureau of Customs (BOC), a Customs official in Cebu said it is much better to strengthen the bureau's computerization program.

"Through this, there will be no more human intervention of the customs transactions and by this, corruption is lessened, if not eradicated," said Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Cebu and Tacloban Chief Verne Enciso.

Enciso said that to date, the bureau is only partially computerized and processing of entry of shipment is still done manually.

"Kahit computerized na yung bureau, may mga transactions na manual pa rin. So, yun siguro ang dapat tutukan yung pag fully computerize ng bureau," Enciso said.

It can be recalled that the House of Representatives dangerous drugs committee has recommended that the fastest solution to end the rampant corruption in the bureau and to improve its revenue is to replace it with another revenue collection agency.

The committee also launched an investigation into the P6.4 billion shabu shipment, which was put under the green lane (meaning no physical examination of the shipment is required) and slipped through BOC, but was nevertheless apprehended by the agency.

The committee has made such recommendation after Customs fixer Mark Taguba admitted during the Senate investigation that he gave out grease money or "tara" to some officials of the bureau in exchange for convenience.

Former Customs Commissioner and now Muntinlupa Representative Rozzano Rufino "Ruffy" Biazon, who is also member of the House committee on dangerous drugs, had said that the root cause of the problems within the bureau must be addressed instead of abolishing it.

Biazon said that he has already filed a bill that seeks to improve its current automation program.

In July 2016, Biazon's proposed House Bill No. 1253 that seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, includes a new provision that would allow the bureau to use part of its income for its modernization program.

Biazon said that the passage of RA 10863 is laudable as it updated the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines to pave the way for reforms and the modernization of the BOC.

However, Biazon said that the achievement of this vision would not be possible if the bureau would be stymied by obsolete or lack of equipment and modern information and technology systems.