Customs professionals from the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG) and representatives from major ports and airports convened at the recently concluded Post Clearance Audit Summit, which took place from May 10 to 12, 2023. The summit served as a valuable platform for in-depth discussions, focusing on crucial topics such as risk management, data analytics, and post clearance audit techniques.
The event commenced with an insightful presentation by Jemky Flor S. Sacar, the Acting Chief of the Risk Management Office. Sacar discussed compliance management approaches, risk management frameworks, standards, and practices, emphasizing their practical application to border risk management. This set the tone for subsequent discussions and provided a solid foundation for understanding the importance of these principles in ensuring secure and seamless customs procedures.
The summit continued with presentations by PCAG Audit Division 3 Chief Von Joseph D. Mangalidan and PCAG Team Leader Jay N. Quinto, who delved into the intricacies of audit techniques and procedures. Their discussions offered valuable insights into conducting thorough post clearance audits, crucial for detecting and preventing customs-related irregularities.
One of the highlights of the summit was the discussion on the transfer of the Liquidation and Billing Division/Units (LBD) to the PCAG. PCAG Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla emphasized that this transfer would serve as an additional avenue for achieving revenue targets. Maronilla drew upon his observations during visits to various customs administrations, where he found that many have already embraced post-clearance practices, eliminating the need for traditional assessment methods. He highlighted post-clearance as the future of customs, emphasizing its potential to streamline processes and enhance revenue collection.
Maronilla’s message instilled optimism among the participants as he underscored the benefits that the integration of LBD into PCAG would bring. The transfer would enable a more comprehensive and efficient approach to customs operations, aligning with international best practices and promoting trade facilitation. “We are optimistic that the integration of LBD into PCAG will streamline customs operations and boost revenue generation,” Maronilla said.
Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio praised the PCAG’s dedication in improving efficiency and effectiveness in customs administration. “The PCAG’s commitment of enhancing customs operations is commendable, and we look forward to implementing the valuable insights gained from this summit,” Rubio said.#NationBuilding
