-
The Bureau of Customs, together with the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, formally launched on October 7 the BOC-PACC Command Group
-
The group will oversee the customs bureau’s anti-corruption campaign
-
The creation of the Command Group is aligned with Project Kasangga, a PACC-led call to arms against corruption
-
BOC also launched anti-corruption coordinating committees in various BOC collection districts to support anti-corruption activities
The Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), formally launched on October 7 a group that will oversee the customs bureau’s anti-corruption campaign.
The BOC-PACC Command Group is headed by assistant commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla and composed of Customs representatives and members who will oversee the customs bureau’s anti-corruption campaign, which will be aligned with the PACC’s Project Kasangga.
Project Kasangga is a PACC-led call to arms against corruption that engages all agencies in the executive department to join the fight against corruption by “self-cleansing or policing their own ranks, starting from critical high-risk or corruption exposed agencies.”
Also launched on October 7 are anti-corruption coordinating committees (ACCC) in various BOC collection districts to support anti-corruption activities and ensure coordination at the district level.
The district collectors will serve as the ACCC chairperson while the deputy collectors for administration will be vice chairperson. Committee members include Law Division chiefs, Enforcement and Security Group commanders, and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service field station chiefs.
The Command Group, with the support of ACCCs, will coordinate with the PACC on the full implementation of Project Kasangga and other projects or initiatives of the Commission.
It is also mandated to facilitate all requests for documents or information in connection with any investigation being conducted by the PACC under existing rules and regulations.
The Command Group, together with the ACCCs, may also recommend policies and actions to ensure public accountability and good governance.
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said: “We will make sure that this activity will not be an exercise in futility. We shall continue to institute reforms towards the realization of the BOC’s vision of becoming a modernized and credible Customs administration that is among the world’s best.”
Aside from the creation of the new group, Guerrero also noted other anti-corruption initiatives of BOC, such as the “Integrity Diagnostic Mission” launched last August with the World Customs Organization. The program aims to further prevent corruption and increase the level of integrity in customs by tapping the Institute for Solidarity in Asia to provide strategic planning facilitation services and acquiring new equipment for more transparent customs operations.
