New Philippine Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon plans to reduce to five hours from five days the processing time for shipments at the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
The former Marines captain on July 4 said this can be done if stakeholders complete the requirements before their shipments arrive. Additionally, Faeldon plans to eliminate duplication of permits and lessen the number of signatories in documents, adding that he wants port collectors to be the sole signatories of transaction documents.
Like him, predecessors John Sevilla and Alberto Lina had sought to reduce cargo clearance time. Sevilla targeted completion of processing of 90% of imports within four hours through computerization, while Lina wanted to cut the number of signatories needed in shipment processing so cargoes could be cleared within 30 minutes instead of in one to two days.
Faeldon also wants the customs agency to strive for transparency and make its records available to the public and media.
Another plan of his is to revive the water patrol unit of BOC so the agency can inspect vessels suspected of carrying smuggled goods.
As for other new posts in the agency, Faeldon said at least 20 former military officers that participated in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny will be assigned to various offices and collection districts of BOC.
Faeldon was one of the members of the Magdalo group, comprised of soldiers who staged a mutiny against the Arroyo administration to protest alleged military corruption.
Some of the officers to be named to the BOC are Milo Maestrecampo, Alvin Ebreo, James Layug, and Gerardo Gambala, all from the Philippine Military Academy’s Marilag Class of 1995.
The five current deputy commissioners will remain in their posts while incoming replacements are still being cleared by the Commission on Appointments, he said.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on June 30 signed Memorandum Circular No. 1 stating that all appointed government officials and employees will be on holdover capacity until July 31 unless a replacement has already been appointed by the new head of the department or agency. – Roumina Pablo
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