Lapeña confident BOC to hit P468B target with workers’ help

Newly-appointed Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña is urging all officials and employees in Cebu to continue working hard to meet the bureau's target collection for 2017.

The agency is targeting to hit P468 billion in collection for this year, up from the 2016 level of P396.37 billion. The BOC is the second largest tax collecting arm of the government, contributing about 20 percent of total tax revenue.

"I want you to prove your worth. Cooperate with me, support me. If you do not want to support me then step aside. If you will not help me then I will take you out. Its either you are with me or you are against me," he said during his visit in Cebu Tuesday.

Since he assumed office on August 31, Lapeña said, the bureau's revenue went up P6 billion per month from P35 billion to P41 billion every month.

The new commissioner is optimistic to reach this year's revenue target.

"I am optimistic we can reach our 2017 revenue target collection. Tayo ay mag tulongtulong and we will be able to hit the target, comply the marching order of the President and bring back the good image of the bureau and once more maipagmalaki natin na tayo ay taga Bureau of Customs," he said.

He was referring to the marching order of President Rodrigo Duterte to the bureau to address the perennial problems that beset the BOC for years.

The commissioner promised to zero in corruption and intensify operations to increase government revenues during his term.

According to Lapeña, he will focus on abolishing the 'tara' system – said to be a root cause of corruption – during his term.

Among Lapeña's priority programs are hiring of additional personnel, improving the welfare of BOC employees, and promoting those who are deserving.

At present, he said, the bureau has 3,326 vacant plantilla positions.

"We are hiring but first we have to promote the employees of the bureau para sila ang maka occupy first sa mga higher positions. We will not hire new employees that will occupy new position but it will have to come from the rank and files of the bureau lalo na yung matatagal na. Dapat sa inyo lang mapupunta yun," he said.

He warned employees not to use a backer or padrino to lobby their promotion as it will not work for him.

"Pag dating sa promotion may dalawang MBA o May Backer Ako or May Bayad Ako. Do not make such mistake. Pag ginawa ninyo yan automatic you will be out. We will not tolerate you even bribing your own coemployees. It's time to address the corruption in the bureau," Lapeña said.

"Wala nang backer backer, ako na lang ang backer ninyo," he said, adding that it will help discourage bribery.