THE FINANCE department has requested the approval of additional 132 positions for the Bureau of Customs to ensure round-the-clock service at the country’s airports.

“We are favorably endorsing, for your approval the attached May 23, 2012 letter of the Bureau of Customs reiterating its earlier request for the creation of 132 positions for deployment to the various international airports in the country,” Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said on his letter to Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad dated May 31.

“The requested additional positions are necessary for the effective implementation of the shifting schedule to ensure the rendition of ‘24/7’ airport services by Customs personnel,” he added.

Under Executive Order 366, series of 2004, the Budget department was given the power to review rationalization plans submitted by other departments and government agencies under the Executive branch.

Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon, in an earlier letter to Abad, requested the additional positions for deployment in six international airports through a “shifting schedule.”

A total of 30 assistant Customs operations officer, 51 Customs operations officer I, 30 Customs operations officer III and 21 Customs operations officer V is needed to be deployed to international airports in Mactan in Cebu, Kalibo in Aklan, Laoag in Ilocos, Clark in Pampanga, Davao and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Similarly, Biazon requested the Budget department to source part of the funding requirements for the new positions from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund (MPBF) after Customs fell short on raising the amount needed.

The P109.296-billion MPBF is a provision in the 2012 budget, pooling funds meant for unfilled positions from various government agencies. The fund may only be tapped by virtue of a presidential approval.

The additional Customs positions will cost P32.873 million, he said, but only P25.716 million can be raised from 170 positions that will be abolished for being “redundant or no longer relevant.”

“Please be informed that we have already exhausted all vacant positions that may be considered for abolition, hence, we would like to appeal that the additional funding requirements for this creation be charged against MPBF,” Biazon said.

“The bureau is hoping that this request will be given priority consideration inasmuch as it is being pressured by its stakeholders to immediately implement shifting schedules in the international airports of entry,” he added.