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MANILA, Philippines – Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon assured the public that rampant smuggling and anomalies in the Bureau could be curbed once the P1.5-billion automation and modernization programs are completed before the end of President Benigno Aquino III’s term in 2016.
In a radio interview on Sunday, Biazon said the bureau is now implementing various phases of automation and modernization, particularly the P400-million national single transaction window, the P200-million online transaction system, and P990-million equipment upgrade and modernization program.
He noted that through the years, despite the efforts of dozens of commissioners, the face-to-face transactions have not been eliminated, giving bureau personnel leeway to deal with cases. “So, the answer to curb smuggling and anomalies is to cut or stop the face-to-face transaction between Customs personnel and businessman or importer through automation and systems upgrade,” Biazon said.
By the end of 2016 all the programs are targeted to be completed. “Actually, there is a big delay in the implementation of the national single window which came from the previous administration. So, our target is to finish the program by end of 2012; hopefully we can achieve the target date.”
He conceded that corruption still lingers inside the Bureau because the full automation program is not yet complete.
“It is really a big challenge for us to stop any under-the-table transactions at the moment [while automation is not completed],” he said, speaking in Filipino.
“We’ve had reshuffles and revamps, but still, there was no lasting solution. I’ve realized that the problem in the bureau is environment in the exercise of discretion and connivance, so that’s where we’re focused on for a long lasting solution.,” he added.
Factors in revenue collections
Baizon said that although his administration has surpassed the collection of previous administrations, still revenue collection stagnated owing to economic factors, including exchange rates and business climate in other countries.
“Our revenue relies on the volume entering the country, the exchange rates. While the peso gains strength---and that is ironic there---while our economy grows and the peso gains, though it’s good to hear about these things the fact is that this means our revenues go down. Also, the economic situation in other countries affects our collections,” Biazon explained, alluding to the slowdown in the United States and Europe, where a debt crisis has crippled several members of the EU.
“But one thing good in here since I came on board last September, 2011, [is that] we are always ahead from the previous administration. This is an indication that we have a growth rate in actual collections. But it should be bigger if other factors are favorable to us,” he concluded.
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