THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is now processing all requests and permits of shipments within five days.
Thus, Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña said during the investment forum organized by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) last Friday.
Lapeña named the priority programs to stop corruption in the bureau when he spoke about “Trade Facilitation and Investment through Effective Management” during the forum.
The programs are in line with the Duterte administration’s development plan that, by 2022, the Philippines is expected to be a high middle-income country, alleviate poverty rate and boost economic performance.
He said the role of the BOC in this plan is primarily based on the marching order of the President to stop corruption and increase revenue collection and earnings.
To comply with the marching order and institute the needed changes, Lapeña said the No. 1 program he implemented was the “no tara, no pasalubong and no tip” policy.
He is also simplifying business processing, saying businessmen look for faster services and the slower process will resort to bribery and corruption.
“To stop this is to ensure faster service and reduce requirements in the bureau to stop corruption,” Lapeña said.
In his more than two months in the bureau, Lapeña reported he had already relieved 130 personnel, including the 23 reassigned to the Customs Monitoring Unit, 10 collectors and 107 reassigned to other offices.
Lapeña said he has issued a memorandum directing all offices to act on all requests and permits within five days. Processing of permits used to take one month or more.
He also assured the applicants that if they have not received heir permits in five days, he will personally issue it to them if they can patiently wait for it in his office, he said.
Lapeña is asking businessmen to complete the requirements and submit it to the Accounts Management Office (AMO).
The counting of five days should start from the day the complete set of application requirements was received by the AMO.
He said the AMO was notorious for the delayed release, but now, it can process permits in five days and applicants no longer shell out money to fast-track the processing. The AMO and other major ports also have now longer working hours to lessen their backlogs and facilitate actions.
Lapeña said when he assumed office, there were 1,852 pending applications. These, he said, are now ready for claiming. He also strengthened the BOC Cares which regularly receives feedbacks and questions from stakeholders.
The BOC Cares is given the directive to be in time and proactive in responding to queries received daily.
Lapeña said he personally complements the BOC Cares. He has given out his contact number to the public and stakeholders as a way of getting information and state of services as well as suggestions to improve services.
Lapeña has commended the MCCI for its untiring commitment to work for the continuing growth and development of Mandaue City by initiating business enhancing and business generating activities.
