Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña has returned the Account Management Office (AMO) of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to the Intelligence Group (IG).
Lapeña, in Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 16-2017 dated September 18, 2017, has transferred AMO back to the direct supervision and control of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) of IG, “in the exigency of service.” This was after AMO control was moved under the Legal Service of the Revenue Collection and Monitoring Group in February, five days after it was transferred under CIIS. Before that, AMO in September last year was transferred to the Legal Service, a month after the accreditation unit was transferred from IG to the Office of the Commissioner. All transfers were directed by former commissioner Nicanor Faeldon.
The directors of CIIS and Legal Service have been directed to take measures to prevent disruptions in AMO’s operations “with the least effect on service to the public as a result of the transfer.” CMO 16-2017 also amends or revokes all memoranda that are inconsistent with it.
AMO is the unit of BOC that processes and approves applications to register importers and customs brokers.
In a press conference on September 20, Lapeña said he has instructed AMO to finish the review and processing of applications in three to five days, provided that requirements have been completed.
He said he has received information that AMO sometimes takes a month to approve an application.
The BOC chief said delays in approving an application may tempt employees to commit corruption if applicants resort to bribery in order to get approved more quickly.
Under Customs Memorandum Order No. 11-2014 (revised guidelines for the registration of importers and customs brokers), all applications for accreditation shall be acted upon not later than 15 working days upon receipt of application, together with documentary requirements. The processing period will not run if any required document is lacking.
Quicker processing of applications for registration is one of the measures BOC is doing to ensure that stakeholders pay the correct duties and taxes and do not contribute to “breeding corruption” in the customs bureau, Lapeña said. – Roumina Pablo
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