MANILA, Philippines – Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon yesterday emphasized the need to carry out a major overhaul of the country’s national customs system including the possible abolishment of the agency and rebuilding it from scratch.
Speaking before members of the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, and European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Biazon said firing officials or employees is not enough to weed out corruption in the agency given alliances inside and outside of the agency that allow smuggling and undervaluation of goods brought into the country.
“What we need is a complete overhaul of the agency. Cut and come clean. If we really want to change the system we might as well abolish the Bureau and build it from the ground up under a new management and team”, said Biazon.
Biazon, who has been head of the BOC for the past 18 months, said it was difficult to break up the padrino system inside and outside of the agency that allows smuggling and undervaluation of shipments.
“Commissioners come and go but it seems that Customs has always remained the same. So long as the kalakaran system prevails, corruption will stay,” Biazon said.
Biazon also emphasized the need to complete its modernization and computerization program as part of its vision for a technology-driven agency.
“We want to limit human intervention at a minimum to curb opportunities for corruption,” he said.
The weakness of the current system, Biazon said, leaves the bureau vulnerable to connivance.
Thus, the agency is deploying more surveillance equipment such as X-ray machines to be installed in its biggest ports as well as in area where there used to be none.
According to Biazon, the use of X-rays has shown that technology can be a very potent tool to deter corruption.
The acquisition of baggage X-rays will strengthen the agency’s capability to detect contraband and prevent their entry into the country.
The BOC is also installing CCTV cameras in key facilities such as airports and offices.
It is also in the second phase of the National Single Window project, with Phase One enabling the transmission of documents and data electronically. Issuance of permits from regulatory agencies are now done electronically, resulting to the reduction of transaction times, less use of paper documents and avoidance of faked, forged or recycled permits.
Biazon also reiterated calls for the immediate passage of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which will bring the Philippines at par with global customs administration standards.
The proposed measure already passed the House of Representatives but remains pending in the Senate. It is designed to enhance the government’s collection of taxes and duties and promote faster, efficient and transparent trade transactions.
Source: Zinnia B. dela Peña, The Philippine Star. 22 March 2013.
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