Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio visited the Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Port of Subic last March 1 and 2, respectively, to inspect port facilities and to ensure smooth and streamlined operations.
District Collector Carmelita Talusan of the Port of NAIA presented their accomplishments and action plans in the performance of the BOC mandates. She also led a walkthrough for the Commissioner at various port warehouses, including Paircargo, Cargohaus, PAL/PSI, DHL, TMW, ECCF-Pair, CMEC, and NAIA Terminal 1.
“As customs officers, you are the first line of defense against threats to our nation, including illegal drugs, weapons, and other contraband. Your vigilance and attention to detail are essential in keeping our borders secure and our communities safe,” said Commissioner Rubio in his message addressed to the Port of NAIA personnel.
“With the continuous guidance and support of our leaders, the BOC-NAIA has remained steadfast in our dedication and commitment to ensure the fulfillment of the agency’s core mandates of revenue collection, trade facilitation, and border protection,” highlighted District Collector Talusan.
Meanwhile, at the Port of Subic, District Collector Maritess Martin discussed the port programs, plans, and achievements and guided the Commissioner during the oil depot inspections at the Philippine Coastal Storage & Pipeline Corporation and Pure Petroleum Corporation.
“The Port of Subic is committed to carry out our mandate. We promise to work together more closely towards the Bureau’s mission and vision with the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability,” said District Collector Martin.
Commissioner Rubio also spearheaded and witnessed the physical examination of the alerted 58×20′ container shipments declared as slipper outsoles but suspected to contain sugar and a 2×40′ container shipment suspected to contain misdeclared squid rings at the Subic Bay New Container Terminal.
“The Port of Subic was able to seize approximately PhP 916 million and PhP 162 million worth of illicit goods last 2022 and for 2023, respectively. This is a testament of your determination to safeguard the well-being of Filipinos by protecting our national borders from smuggled goods, especially those involving agricultural products and dangerous drugs which may pose health hazards to our countrymen,” said Commissioner Rubio.
“Through my leadership and your unending support, we will keep putting our modernization initiatives and policy reforms into action in order to create a customs agency of the highest caliber, which every Filipino may take pride in,” the Commissioner emphasized during his port visitations.
In the following months, Commissioner Rubio will continuously inspect other Collection Districts to ensure the delivery of quality government services across all BOC ports.#
