House panel eyes new revenue-collecting agency to replace BOC

FILE: House of Representatives
(Photo by Coat of Arms of the Philippines.svg: Vectorized by Zachary Harden (Zscout370).Seal of the Philippine House of Representatives.png: The original uploader was Exec8 at English Wikipedia.Later version(s) were uploaded by RNAlonto, SunKing at English Wikipedia /* derivative work: NikNaks – Own work based on: House of Representatives / Congress of the Philippineshttp, Public Domain)

MANILA — The House of Representatives’ dangerous drugs committee has recommended the passage of a legislation replacing the Bureau of Customs (BOC) with a new revenue-collecting agency “to avoid corruption and increase revenue collection”.

This was among the recommendations of the House panel chaired by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers following a probe into the PHP6.4-billion peso shabu (crystal meth) shipment controversy hounding the Customs Bureau.

In its report, the committee suggested creating a different system of collection that establishes a one-time payment of import or export fees including taxes, storage, warehousing, arrastre services and other expenses.

The committee said the new system should also strengthen border control function while providing for utmost convenience in the flow of goods.

“The system may consider privatization of non-sovereign functions which will be part of an extensive study to be conducted by the Department of Finance,” the committee report read.

The House panel also recommended disbanding the BOC’s Command Center for being unlawful and being created without proper authorization from the Finance Secretary.

Furthermore, the committee wanted the review of the E2M (Electronic to Mobile) system, as well as the bureau’s importer and consignee accreditation scheme.

The panel also sought a deeper probe on the corruption issue in the Bureau of Customs to be conducted by the House committee on good government.

Last week, President Duterte officially announced that Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Dir. Gen. Isidro Lapeña will replace Nicanor Faeldon as the new BOC chief.

 (PNA)