EFFECTIVE today, October 9, Elvira Cruz will vacate her post as district collector for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Cebu and will be assigned to the bureau’s Compliance Monitoring Unit.
She is among 16 BOC officials nationwide affected by a reshuffle of employees implemented by newly installed BOC CommissionerIsidro Lapeña.
BOC Cebu Operation Officer IV Wivina Pumatong has been appointed as officer in charge (OIC) of the office.
Seven other operation officers and acting chief/deputy collectors will be designated as OICs in various ports in the country.
Aside from Cruz, four other collectors and three operation officers will be reassigned to the Compliance Monitoring Unit.
Along with former Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon, Cruz was earlier linked to the smuggling of 5 million of garbage into Cebu from South Korea in February.
A certain JR San Sebastian, resident of Casals Village, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, furnished documents to Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia, allegedly showing how the two Customs officials are involved.
Cruz denied involvement in the release of the shipment. She said the entry documents were processed long before she assumed office.
Cruz assumed the post as district collector of Customs in Cebu on January 19.
The shipment arrived in Cebu from Jeju Port in South Korea on January 20.