To celebrate its breakthroughs and milestones in the previous year, the Bureau of Customs on February 23, 2022, capped its 120th Founding Anniversary with the theme “Transforming, Performing, And Modernizing Towards A World-Class Customs Service”.
The event was held at the Rizal Park Hotel, Ermita, Manila, and was graced by the Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III as the Guest of Honor and Speaker, and Undersecretary Antonette Tionko.
Among the highlights of the celebration were the viewing of the newly acquired fast patrol boats, actual demonstration of the newly procured trace detection systems, and the anniversary program proper which included the Commissioner’s presentation of the BOC Accomplishment Report for 2021, and recognition of the Bureau’s collection districts and top units, partner law enforcement agencies, Multi-Sector Governance Council, top importers and taxpayers, and industry partners.
The ports recognized for their contribution to the achievement of the 2021 collection target and for their earnest commitment to fulfill the agency core mandates were the Ports of San Fernando, Manila, Manila International Container Port, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Batangas, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Surigao, Cagayan De Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic, Clark, Appari, and Limay.
The Enforcement and Security Service of the Enforcement Group and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service of the Intelligence Group of BOC were also awarded for their technical proficiency and participation in the strategic execution of border protection-related operations which led to multiple successful apprehensions of prohibited commodities and other contraband in CY 2021.
BOC also recognized its partner law enforcement agencies for their unyielding support to the Bureau which resulted in the successful customs intelligence and enforcement operations, namely, the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police.
The BOC Multi-Sector Governance Council was also awarded for its strategic expertise and commitment extended to the Bureau towards good governance and organizational transformation through the Performance Governance System.
Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., and Unioil Petroleum Philippines, Inc., were also recognized as the Top Importers for CY 2021 based on their payment of duties and taxes that significantly contributed to the positive collection performance of BOC.
Meanwhile, the Universal Robina Corp., and Japan Tobacco International, Inc., were awarded as the Top Taxpayers for the same period based on compliances to the Bureau’s post-clearance audit that significantly contributed to the positive collection performance of BOC.
Toyota Motor Philippines, Corporation was also recognized as the first to be accredited as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) in the Philippines under the AEO Program.
BOC also recognized its industry partners, the Super Green Lane Association and the Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc., for their commitment to support the continuous realization of the agency’s core mandates.
“We are most grateful to all our partners and stakeholders who have been both supportive and vigilant, making sure that we lived up to our mandate and improved as necessary. The guidance of our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the leadership of the Department of Finance under Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez are the pillars by which the BOC have been able to perform and transform”. Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said in his message.
With its milestones, lessons, and recognition, the Bureau of Customs will remain committed and dedicated to the fulfillment of its mandates as it welcomes another year in its history.
