The Bureau of Customs – Port of Subic conducted its 4th Quarter Stakeholders’ Forum on Automated Routing and Monitoring System (ARMS) and Body-Worn Cameras on October 15, 2021, via Zoom Teleconference and Facebook Live Coverage.

The resource speakers of the said forum were Mr. Mark E. Edillor, Site Manager of MISTG, and Mr. Pocholo D. Mangohig, Customs Operations Officer III, who focused on the introduction and discussion of ARMS and Body Worn Cameras.

Under Customs Memorandum Order No. 25-2021 with the subject “Implementation of the Automated Routing and Monitoring System (ARMS) for Goods Declarations”, upon lodgement of goods declaration, the system randomly assigns the entry to a COO III (Examiner) and COO V (Appraiser) at the Port of discharge. It is also a mechanism for brokers and importers to receive updates on the status of their respective goods declaration.

Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero announced the implementation of ARMS at the Manila International Container Port in a Memorandum dated August 31, 2021, where the Port of Subic followed through.

Meanwhile, the capabilities and mandatory use of body-worn cameras were also discussed, which include controlled delivery operation; hot pursuit; inspection of consignees’ offices; regular customs operations such as boarding formalities, disposition of goods such as auction and condemnation of goods, and the non-intrusive and physical examination of goods, among others.

The forum also served as a platform where all queries of the stakeholders regarding ARMS and Body Worn Cameras were attended to.

The activity is in line with the Port’s drive of transparent and efficient information dissemination to the public.