The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Integrated Philippine Computer System (IPCS) which is designed to overhaul the Bureau’s existing information technology set-up to address the recurring problem of computer network slow down and down time shall help enhance the BOC’s efficiency in its revenue collection and anti- smuggling programs.

This was the report of BOC-Management Information System and Technology Group (MISTG) Officer-in-Charge for Systems Management Jaime Taborda during the November 12, 2012 “Kapihan sa Aduana” media forum of the BOC Press Corps, Inc.

According to Taborda, aside from practically overhauling the Bureau’s e2m system, the IPCS once fully operational, shall feature additional functionalities to facilitate faster transaction and tighter controls in the BOC.

“The recurring problem of computer downtime and slowdown in the Bureau would eventually be addressed with the completion of the IPCS as part of the program is beefing-up the BOC’s hardware and software systems,” Taborda said.

Taborda explained that the MISTG is currently doing the Terms Of Reference (TOR) for the IPCS, even as preparations for the bidding of the ICPS is also currently being done through the Procurement Service Office of the government.

For his part, Port of Batangas Deputy Collector for Assessment lawyer Celso Tugday said, the completion of the ICPS would greatly help the BOC’s frontline officials in revenue collection and shipment monitoring as it would enable them to check all cargo movements at real time.

“Providing us with advance information of cargoes will enable us to enforce more efficiently our revenue collection and anti-smuggling initiatives.” Tugday said, adding “It will allow us to prepare the necessary steps to address the requirements of all incoming and out-going shipments.”

According to Tugday, in the Port of Batangas where its October 2012 collection represented a 35% increase, compared to its collection for the same period in 2011, an efficient information technology matters a lot. The Port of Batangas is now among the choice ports of the country’s major auto dealers because of its facilities. Moreover, it is also a major port of discharge for many oil and petroleum companies.
“Around 400 to 700 Completely-Built-Unit (CBU) vehicles are unloaded at the Port of Batangas every two (2) weeks for the local market” Tugday.

According to Tudlay, next to oil, the Port of Batangas gets most of its revenues from duties on car importations. “The Port of Batangas now generates about PhP 1.53 billion in revenues for the government each week.” Tudlay said.