PR/via Cleizl Pardilla – PTV News
Nine newly designated Bureau of Customs (BOC) District Collectors and two Deputy Collectors were installed by Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero at the BOC Situation Room.
Designated as Port of Manila (POM) Acting District Collector is Collector Arsenia C. Ilagan while former POM District Collector Atty. Ma. Rhea M. Gregorio is now the new Acting District Collector of the Port of San Fernando La Union. Atty. Ruby Claudia M. Alameda takes the reign as Acting District Collector of the Port of Clark, while Atty. Micheal D.C. Vargas is designated as Acting District Collector, Port of Limay. Atty. Francis T. Tolibas and Atty. Lilibeth Sandag are reassigned as Acting District Collector of the Port of Tacloban and NAIA Deputy Collector for Operations, respectively.
Also installed earlier were Manila International Container Port Acting District Collector Guillermo Pedro A. Francia IV, Atty. Romalino G. Valdez as Acting District Collector of the Port of Batangas, Port of Davao Acting District Collector Atty. Erastus Sandino B. Austria, Atty. Charlito Martin R. Mendoza as Acting District Collector of the Port of Cebu and Batangas Deputy Collector for Assessment Atty. Edward R. Ibera.
In his message delivered during the installation ceremony, Commissioner Guerrero emphasized that graft and corruption is the reason for decrease in revenue collection. It is also the reason criminals are able to sneak in illegal drugs. “Graft and corruption in the Bureau involves not only BOC personnel but also those transacting business with the agency. And it continues to exist because it is tolerated by unscrupulous individuals” Guerrero added.
The BOC chief encouraged all BOC personnel and stakeholders to expose, report and file cases against corrupt emoloyees, importers, brokers, fixers and other entities involved in smuggling, bribery, illegal drugs and other illegal activities.
Despite the numerous challenges faced by the Bureau, it never wavered in its determination and commitment to perform its mandated tasks to increase revenue collection, to comply with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to stop corruption and to help boost the country’s global trade competitiveness.
