TWO specialized units will be formed by the Philippine Department of Finance to help the government boost its revenue collection program.
The Office of the President has issued Executive Order No. 139 calling for the formation of the Office of the Revenue Agency Modernization (ORAM), which will be in charge of formulating and implementing improvements in the processes, systems and procedures of the revenue-generating agencies to bring these up to global standards.
The ORAM will be under the direct supervision of the finance secretary, who may designate a subordinate official with the rank of undersecretary to oversee its operations.
Also made an official agency under the DOF is the Customs Policy Research Office (CPRO), whose main functions include the identification and evaluation of internally accepted customs administration practices and processes.
The CPRO will help maximize the Bureau of Customs’ revenue collection and build the BOC’s integrity while ensuring harmonization and simplification procedures, the EO states.
The CPRO would ensure proper collection, monitoring and storage of data, documents and records that should be readily available upon demand, the order stated. It must also promote the seamless flow of goods while protecting local industries.
The new unit is mandated to draft the customs reform bill and modernize the systems and policies of the BOC.
In forming the two units, Malacañang cited section 74 of Republic Act 10352, or the General Appropriations Act of 2013, which states that the President may authorize organizational and staffing pattern changes in any department, bureau and office in the executive branch.
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