The Bureau of Customs (BOC) under the stewardship of Commissioner Yogi Filemon L. Ruiz capped its 121st Founding Anniversary on Tuesday by showcasing its Customs Operations Center (COC) and recognizing the services of its collection districts and offices on February 7.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Guest of Honor and Speaker, was represented by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. Also present was Albay Representative Joey S. Sarte Salceda, chair of the House of Representatives’ committee on ways and means.
The BOC showed the technological capabilities of its Customs Operations Center (COC), the command-and-control hub of the intelligence and enforcement operations of the BOC’s 17 Collection Districts.
In his message, Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz stressed the BOC’s accomplishments for 2022, highlighting the record-breaking revenue collection, enhanced and intensified anti-smuggling campaign, and the modernization efforts aligned with the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028.
“We are confident that with the leadership of our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the guidance of our Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, we will be able to achieve our goals again this year and for the years to come,” Com. Ruiz said.
Sec. Diokno, with Customs Commissioner Ruiz and Deputy Commissioner Donato San Juan, presented the awards to 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, Aparri, and Limay for their contribution to the achievement of the 2022 collection target and for their commitment to fulfill the agency’s core mandates.
The Enforcement and Security Service, Environmental Protection and Compliance Division, Customs Intelligence, Investigation Service, and the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force of BOC were also awarded for strategic execution of border-protection-related operations.
The BOC anniversary adopted the World Customs Organization (WCO) theme for the year 2023 -“Nurturing the Next Generation by Promoting a Culture of Knowledge-sharing and Professional Pride in Customs.”
Earlier, a joint Flag Raising Ceremony was conducted at the OCOM Grounds on February 6, where awards were given to selected BOC officials in their respective areas of expertise. Service awards were given to retirees in recognition of their dedicated service to the BOC until their retirement.
The WCO Certificates of Merit were awarded to qualified BOC officials for their excellence in knowledge-sharing, social responsibility, professional pride in customs, and overall exceptional contribution to the international customs community.
Officers of the Revenue Collection Monitoring Group, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and Interim Internal Quality Management System Office auditors were also recognized for their exemplary performance in the delivery of their duties and functions.
The Ports of Davao, Dadiangas, Zamboanga, Cagayan De Oro, and Dumaguete were awarded their respective International Organization for Standardization Certifications.
The Collection Districts nationwide participated in the BOC Painting Competition where NAIA won the first place, Subic 2nd place, and Internal Administration Group in the 3rd place. Under Commissioner Ruiz’s stewardship, the BOC remains committed to fulfilling its mandates as it welcomes another year in its history.[D.U]
The Bureau of Customs Port of Cagayan de Oro bags award and recognition during the celebration of the BOC’s 121st Founding Anniversary on February 7, 2022. District Collector Alexandra Yap-Lumontad received the award for the Port of Cagayan de Oro as it was recognized as among the ports who have contributed to the achievement of the 2022 collection target and for its commitment to fulfill the agency’s core mandate by surpassing the previous year’s target and also awarded with its International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Certification.
(REYNANTE SALGADO)
