Former Bureau of Customs head pushes 'selective system'

MANILA, Philippines - A former Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner yesterday urged incumbent Customs officials to strictly enforce the Selectivity System as a means to reduce, if not eliminate, graft and corruption in the bureau.

Titus Villanueva, who was Customs Commissioner from 2001 to 2002, said that the Selectivity System has a built-in mechanism designed to significantly reduce red-tape in customs transactions.

He cited the “open-drawer” syndrome prevailing in the bureau which unnecessary delays customs processing of imports and exports as an example of what the Selectivity System can eliminate.

The term “open-drawer” refers to the grease-money that importers and exporters usually shell out to expedite processing of legitimate transactions.

Villanueva explained that the Selectivity System provides for the green-yellow-red lane channels for all importers that go through the importation process.

Green lane is reserved for importers with spotless records. Their shipments are released without physical examination nor documentary check.

Yellow lane is for new importers and those with no record of any Customs laws and regulations violations.

Red lane is for importers with questionable track records. Their shipments are subject to thorough physical examination and documentary check.

A mechanism for rewards and punishments is also provided.

For example, the green lane category privileges may be withdrawn and the importer downgraded to the red lane category if violations are committed and vise-versa.

“According to recent estimates, importations of legitimate importers which may pass through the green lane category comprise 80 percent of bureau’s total transactions,” said Villanueva.

“Since the least of human intervention takes place in the processing of green lane shipments, an almost zero graft opportunity at this level is possible,” he added.  

“An efficient and reliable risk management unit that would classify importers is very important,” Villanueva pointed out.