THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is setting up a monitoring unit envisioned to help it attain its plans and programs under a 10-point priority agenda this year, as it strives to meet its revenue-collection targets, as well as improve its processes.
Customs Memorandum 2019-04-013, signed by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero on Monday, calls for the creation of a monitoring unit that will enable the bureau to meet its goals and programs under the commissioner’s priority agenda.
The monitoring unit shall be composed of the focal persons of the different offices within the BOC with prepared plans for 2019, to be headed by the office of the chief of staff (Ocos) under the office of the commissioner (Ocom).
“Atty. Marlonfritz B. Broto and Atty. Vener S. Baquiran, of the Ocos, Ocom are hereby designated, effective immediately, as chairman and cochairman of the monitoring unit. Their designations, however, shall not entitle them to any remuneration or additional emolument,” the memorandum said.
In January, Guerrero revealed his 10-point priority agenda, which aims to help the bureau meet its collection goals, as well as improve its procedures, among others.
His 10-point priority agenda for 2019 entails:
- Enhancement of the BOC Information and Technology System, which involves automation to improve the bureau’s processes and integrate its systems for more efficient and effective operations.
- Filling up of vacant plantilla positions, with the BOC hiring more capable and committed manpower to fulfill its mandate of delivering better service.
- Provision of incentives for Customs employees involving promotions and rewards being conducted to improve the morale and motivate people to perform their jobs better.
- Restructuring of the BOC organization, wherein new offices and positions will be created, while redundant or overlapping functions will be merged in the interest of streamlining and upgrading the organization.
- Enhancement of BOC facilities, with the provision of proper environment and facilities for optimum output.
- Enhancement of Cargo Clearance and Examination Capabilities: The bureau will put in place programs and processes that will strengthen BOC capabilities in fulfilling its core mandate.
- Enhancement of Intelligence and Enforcement Capabilities, which aims to strengthen institutional and individual capabilities in the area of intelligence and enforcement to ensure that the bureau is able to contribute to the border security and economic development.
- Codification and Harmonization of implementing rules and regulations (IRRs), administrative orders and memorandum orders. This involves the cleaning up and integration of the rules and regulations that help execute BOC mandate to provide clear and accessible guidelines for all concerned.
- Creation of a Quality Management System and Integrity System, wherein the BOC will fast-track the creation and institutionalization of systems that uphold quality and integrity.
- Pursue the Passage of Customs-Related Legislative Measures, wherein the bureau will pursue proper legislation as foundation for the many innovations that will be implemented for a more dynamic Customs organization.
Based on the latest BOC data, the revenue collection as of March 29, 2019, amounted to P52.437 billion, breaching the target for the month of P51.507 billion or by 1.81 percent. This also posted an increase of about 15.5 percent from the P45.398 billion recorded in March 2018.
Of the 17 ports in the country, 11 exceeded their monthly collection target for March while six ports failed to do so.