DOF approves BOC-Cebu request for more personnel

CEBU, Philippines - After more than a year of requesting for additional customs personnel at the passengers’ arrival area of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, the Department of Finance finally approved the request.

Bureau of Customs-Cebu deputy collector for operations Ahmed Erpe is happy over the development although the DOF’s approval is still being endorsed to the Department of Budget and Management for final approval.

BOC is one of the line agencies under DOF.

“We are happy with such development, at least gi-approve na sa Finance,” Erpe told The FREEMAN.

  Erpe said that BOC-Cebu requested for an additional of at least 12 personnel to beef up the less than ten personnel currently manning the passenger’s arrival area at the MCIA.

MCIA has at least 10 to 15 international flights daily carrying more than 2,000 passengers. 

In a statement, DOF said that the additional positions are “necessary for the effective implementation of the shifting schedules to ensure the rendition of ‘24/7’ airport services by Customs personnel,”

Under Executive Order 366, series of 2004, DBM was given the power to review rationalization plans submitted by other departments and government agencies under the Executive branch.

Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon, in his letter to DBM secretary Florencio Abad, earlier stated that the request for additional positions for deployment in six international airports is through a “shifting schedule.”

A total of 51 Customs operations officers I, 30 assistant Customs operations officers,  30 Customs operations officers III and 21 Customs operations officers V are needed to be deployed to international airports in Cebu,  Laoag in Ilocos, Ka-libo in Aklan, Davao, Clark in Pampanga, Laoag in Ilocos,  and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Erpe said that BOC-Cebu is asking an additional of 12 personnel and he can only hope that Cebu will be given such number to further enhance the efficiency of Customs service at the airport. — (FREEMAN)