The Bureau of Customs (BOC) inaugurated on Wednesday, Aug. 10, a new customs office at the sub-port of Currimao, Ilocos Norte to enhance operations at the seaport and improve economic growth in the region.
The new BOC Currimao office is the first of more sub-port offices to open under the leadership of Port of Aparri District Collector Elenita Abaño. Port Irene and Laoag International Airport and its sub-port offices will soon hold their inaugurations.
“This new office is a milestone achievement for both the sub-port of Currimao and the Port of Aparri. With the guidance of Collector Abaño, our team played well. We succeeded in having this new office,” Ma. Luisa Relon, BOC Port of Currimao Officer-in-Charge, said in her opening remarks.
Fr. Hermoganes G. Saturnino Jr. officiated the blessing of the establishment, and was witnseed by Currimao Mayor Edward Quilala, Philippine Ports Authority Northern Luzon Port Manager Engr. Marieta Odicta, Currimao Police chief Maj. Benjie Dairev Umalla, and Currimao Coast Guard Station Commander Mark Larsen were also present.
Abaño thanked those who helped in the building of the new facility, including the importers for their revenue contributions, sub-port officers, and owners of Omnico Natural Resources Inc. for providing a space in their building.
“My resolve to provide safe, convenient, user-friendly, and decent sub-port offices under the District Port of Aparri was strengthened when I saw the sorry condition of the BOC sub-port of Currimao during my first visit to this port,” she said.
“I was never wrong in my decision because even during my first month as the new District Collector for the Port of Aparri, we more than doubled our annual revenue collection target of P400 million when we joined the Customs league of billionaire ports in June,” she added, noting that 80% of the collections are from Currimao port.
The sub-port also awarded its top importers and stakeholders for their help in transforming its mother unit District Port of Aparri into a billionaire port. (BOC)
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