Steel industry welcomes new BOC leadership

MANILA, Philippines -  Local iron and steel manufacturers expressed high optimism over the recent developments at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) following the appointments of former Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon and former Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim in the graft-ridden agency.

The members of the Philippine Iron & Steel Institute (PISI) assured the new BOC officials that they will work together in exposing the long practice of some unscrupulous importers who misdeclared imported steel products in cahoots with ranking Customs officials in some ports.

Robert Cola, PISI president, expressed confidence that the much-needed reforms to curb smuggling in the agency will be implemented and the revenue targets in the coming years will be met following Biazon and Lim’s designation.

Cola asked Biazon to immediately look into their grievances because “for the past decades, the steel industry is one of the sectors hardest-hit by the unabated and rampant corruption and smuggling activities in the country.”

“We have been begging and praying for this and we knew all along that it was only a matter of time before a good choice of incorruptible and principled leaders would come to our rescue. We are very grateful to President Aquino in choosing Commissioner Biazon and General Lim as his partners in weeding out smuggling and corruption in the agency,” Cola said.

Cola said their organization believed in the leadership of Biazon after he ordered BOC operatives to raid and confiscate several smuggled luxury cars, sacks of rice, onions and used clothes stashed in 43 container vans at the Sasa Wharf in Davao, just two weeks from assuming office.

For their part, Cola said, the PISI, the umbrella association of the local steel industry, vowed to help the new BOC leadership in monitoring and reporting illegal activities committed in their ranks and at the same time, pay the required Customs and other government taxes.

Wanting to be part of the solution and help realize President Aquino’s campaign to eradicate graft and corruption, the industry leaders promised to do everything within their powers to help Biazon and Lim, he added.