Customs gears for automation

DAVAO CITY April 27 (PIA)- The Bureau of Customs is gearing towards an automated environment . This was said by Customs Commissioner Raffy Biazon during his press conference at the Marco Polo Davao held yesterday (April 27). According to commissioner Biazon the computerized systems provides lesser decision-making for its personnel.

Human intervention in customs processes has been the root of corruption in the agency to which Biazon said the answer is increasing automation. Among the automation programs is the National Single Window which is a network of 40 government agencies interlinked together to hasten government transactions.

For example National Food Authority permits for the importation of rice can be passed on through the NSW, these would also apply to other government agencies the result is a higher degree of integrity for these customs documents. Biazon said that the timetable will be 2013, where they will be interconnected with the Asean Single Window.


The customs commissioner also downplayed fears of job losses through automation as he said the Customs is geared towards front-end  services.

Unlike modern Customs  in other countries which relies on post entry audit. Where the goods are audited after they have been received by the companies.

The present front-end set-up is that the customs will look at the papers while the goods are kept in container vans.

Under the automated set-up, the BOC will be more on looking towards post entry audit. “In fact we would be hiring more auditors to audit these companies. The customs chief added. (PIA/RG Alama)