As part of continuing efforts to reform the Bureau of Customs, Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon directed all personnel of the Bureau, regardless of rank, position, designation and current assignment, are ordered to return to their mother units. Their current designations or assignments are likewise revoked.

With the approval of Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon signed Customs Personnel Order (CPO) No. B-134-2013, mandating all BOC employees to return to their permanent plantilla positions and original units as indicated in their appointment papers. The order further ordered the personnel movement in tranches, to ensure proper turn-over of duties and responsibilities.

The first batch of employees affected by the CPO, covering all Supervising Customs Operating Officers (SVCOO) and Customs Operations Officers III (COO III), are relieved of their assignments effective September 13, 2013; the second batch covers all Chief Customs Operations Officers and Customs Operations Officers V (COO V) and revokes their designations by September 15, 2013; while all other officials and employees are relieved of their designations by September 17, 2013. All officials and employees who are affected by the CPO have ten (10) days to report to their permanent units. By September 27, 2013, all employees of the BOC should be back at their respective permanent positions.

Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares, Chairperson of the DOF Revenue Cluster, explained that the purpose of the Customs Personnel Order is for the DOF and BOCto take stock of the existing human resource of the Bureau of Customs and assess how best to move forward with the much-needed reforms at the agency. The move was made at the suggestion of Comm. Biazon and with the endorsement of the Revenue Cluster of the Department of Finance.

“It is integral that we have a clear picture of the plantilla at the Bureau of Customs to streamline operations, eliminate redundant functions and prevent crossing of jurisdictional boundaries,” said Comm. Henares.

The Department of Finance and the Revenue Agencies are committed to carrying-out sustainable reforms at the Bureau of Customs to institutionalize integrity in the agency and its personnel, rebuild credibility, curb smuggling in all forms and plug the loopholes that create lost revenues for the government.