Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has called for “closer coordination” between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in mounting a relentless drive against smuggling, which is key to winning the Duterte administration’s all-out war against this economic scourge.

Dominguez said eradicating smuggling is so crucial because, for one, the billions of pesos in annual revenue losses from this illicit activity could have been enough for the government to kick-start its overdue infrastructure modernization program long before the Duterte administration had implemented its “Build, Build, Build” initiative.

“Being an archipelago with twice the coastline of the United States, we have long been vulnerable to smuggling activities. There is no way to accurately estimate the cumulative amount of revenues denied government coffers. But we are sure that the amount is immense, far more than whatever we might be investing today in improving our enforcement capabilities,” said Dominguez at Monday’s commissioning ceremony at the PCG National Headquarters in Manila for two fast patrol vessels (FPVs) acquired by the Philippines with the assistance of the French government.

The two newly commissioned vessels—FPB-2401 and FPB-2402—were named, respectively, the BRP Boracay and BRP Panglao. The government acquired four FPVs through the assistance of France, of which three will be used jointly by the BOC and PCG “in the enforcement of laws pertaining to border control, prevention of the entry of smuggled goods, prevention and suppression of smuggling and other customs fraud” as stated in the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between the two agencies during the commissioning ceremony.

The third FPV is expected to arrive by the end of the year.

These FPVs shall be under the operational control of the BOC once deployed to carry out customs-related operations, the MOA states.

The MOA also states that “the BOC shall coordinate closely with PCG, in the operation of the Fast Patrol Vessel that will be used in customs maritime operations. Both agencies shall work collaboratively in the suppression and prevention of smuggling and other fraud under the jurisdiction of the Philippines.”

Dominguez said “the cumulative amount of lost revenues from smuggling could have enabled the government to ramp up spending on infrastructure and social services much sooner than the government had planned. Our economic development might have taken a much preferable course. Our people might be more prosperous than they are now.”

To sustain today’s investments in the “Build, Build, Build” program as well as in social services and human capital development, Dominguez said the Duterte administration needs to improve the state’s revenue collection capabilities and thwart efforts to divert revenues due the government.

He said the PCG and the BOC should be prepared to thwart such efforts, along with stopping the smuggling of illegal drugs into the country.

“I expect very close coordination between the Coast Guard and the Bureau of Customs in the effort to curb smuggling activities. The two agencies are the sharp edges of a single sword. That coordination is the key to winning this war against smugglers,” Dominguez said.

He called on customs personnel assigned to man the newly commissioned patrol boats to “use these assets intensively and well.”

“We did not invest in these new vessels for them to be used sparingly. The war against smuggling should be unrelenting,” Dominguez said. “Go forth then, and get the job done. Our people will benefit hugely from your success.”

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