A civic group composed of social media broadcasters has expressed its support for Bureau of Customs chief’s campaign against smuggling and corruption during a forum conducted on January 26 at the Manila Hotel.
The Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas, Inc. (KSMBPI), led by its chairman Dr. Michael Aragon said that a nationwide information gathering campaign against illicit trade has already started.
“KSMBPI together with our multi-sectoral partners decided to take up the challenge against the illicit trade at the BOC,” Aragon said.
According to Aragon, the nationwide campaign is intended to help the Bureau of Customs improve its collection performance through the gathering of information about illicit activities and transactions at the agency.
“All information gathered by our group on illicit trade will be absolutely confidential and will be given raw to the BOC Commissioner for his validation and immediate action, ” Aragon said.
During the forum, Commissioner Isidro Lapena said that the rampant undervaluation of importation leads to the lower collection of the bureau, thus a strengthened anti-smuggling effort is needed to counter such illegal practices.
Lapeña also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the group for their support to improve the bureau’s revenue collection and to strengthen its anti-smuggling and anti-corruption campaign.
The customs chief added that KSMBPI is welcome to help the bureau in gathering information needed to investigate and identify the people behind illicit activities at the BOC.
“I am thankful for the support given by the KSMBPI to the BOC. I am encouraging not only the BOC stakeholders but also the civic groups to help me bring change in the bureau. Community involvement is indispensable to our campaign.” Lapeña said. (BOC-PR)
