Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon today (October 7, 2013) raised optimism on improving the Bureau of Customs (BOC) revenue collection performance with the assumption into office of the BOC’s five (5) newly appointed deputy commissioners.
According to Biazon, the appointment of the new deputy commissioners is part of the first ever wide-ranging reform in the bureau. “This is a re-boot for the BOC” Biazon said adding that, “As such, this does not only give the BOC a fresh start, but it will also be easier for us to align our efforts towards attaining a common goal.”
The five newly appointed deputy commissioners are, retired general and former Armed Force Chief of Staff Jessie Dellosa. Dellosa replaced former Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Group Horacio Suansing. He is also the concurrent Officer-in Charge of the Intelligence Group (IG), a position left vacant after the resignation of retired general Danilo Lim over a month ago. Lawyer AgatonUvero for his part, replaced former Deputy Commissioner for Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group Prudencio Reyes Jr. Uvero is knowledgeable about port operations, having handled clients from the customs brokerage industry. Department of Finance (DOF) Assistant Secretary for International Finance Group (IFG) Ms.Edita Tan assumed the post of former Deputy Commissioner for Revenue Collection and Monitoring Group (RCMG) Peter Manzano, while senior Department of Budget and Management officer Ms. Myrna Chua, replaced former Deputy Commissioner for Internal Administration Group (IAG) Juan Lorenzo Tañada, and Information Technology expert Mr. Primo Aguas replaced former Deputy commissioner for Management Information System and Technology Group (MISTG) Caridad Manarang.
According to Biazon, teamwork is an important factor in making the proposed BOC reforms, which was hatched by Malacañang, the DOF and the BOC succeed, even as he admitted that the Temporary Restraining Oder (TRO) issued by the court on the detail of 27 senior collectors to the Customs Policy Research Office (CPRO) was a temporary setback on the BOC’s reform program.
“No one can defeat the power of reforms.” Biazon said, even as he called on the customs stakeholders to support the BOC reform program. “Let us all join together and work on a common goal to have the government’s envisioned reforms for the bureau delivered” he added.
According to Biazon, over the medium and long term period, he expects the bureau to break the PhP 300 billion revenue collection mark under the new team.
The five new customs deputy commissioner for their part had a common agenda to attain the government’s revenue goals. While each of them assured of prudent management in their respective offices, they were, however, one in saying that they will be working and coordinating closely with the commissioner towards attaining the government’s revenue goals.
