BOC to install add’l 15 fixed, mobile X-rays

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC), will be adding 15 fixed and mobile X-rays units to be installed at various airports in 2013, Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said.

The provision of additional X-ray units would contribute to the agency’s anti-smuggling and revenue collection efforts, Biazon said. “These would help efforts to achieve a credit rating upgrade,” he said.

In a separate interview, X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP) head Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang said the additional X-ray units would also help boost tourism in the country. “It would be good for tourism,” she said.

She said some visitors do not like their baggage to be searched or opened, a concern that can be addressed by the additional units.

Of the 15 new units, eight are fixed X-ray units and seven are mobile or movable X-ray units.

At present, X-ray machines are scattered in billionaire and high-traffic ports such as the Port of Manila, Manila International Container Port, Port of Subic, Port of Clark, Cebu, Davao, Zamboangao, General Santos, Batangas and the Mindanao Container Terminal in Cagayan de Oro.

There are also 12 X-ray scanners for baggage and loose cargoes manned by well-trained officers and personnel assigned at the different X-ray field offices.

The BOC is seeking a budget of P2.166 billion for next year, the bulk of which or P1.16 billion will go to personal services. The budget for MOOE or maintenance and other expenses is P790 million while the capital outlay allotment is P211 million.

Aside from additional X-ray units, the P211-million capital outlay budget would also finance the partial construction of the Customs house at the Port of Cebu, purchase of CCTCs to be installed at various airports and the replacement of unserviceable office equipment and dilapidated furniture in various Customs offices.