Customs extends working hours

Beginning Monday, the office hours of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) would be extended to 12 hours, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., to speed up the processing of documents and release of shipment to the consignees.

Newly-appointed BOC Commissioner Alberto Lina yesterday said he has ordered the application of the "flexi time," wherein employees could either report to work from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., starting March 14.

With the new workings hours, Lina dissolved a definite lunch break for employees. They could take their lunch either at 11 a.m., at noon or, at 1 p.m. This ensures that an employee would always be on duty.

By removing the lunch break, Lina said they would prevent opportunities for corruption. It has been the practice of some erring BOC employees to hold back papers of clients. They can no longer use the "come back after lunch" excuse because an employee would provide them continued service for 12 hours.

Usually a consignee in a hurry to transport his cargo out of the BOC is forced to offer grease money so a container van would be released immediately.

"Even on Saturdays, we would release their shipment just as long as we have finished the processing of the documents by Friday and they have paid their taxes," Lina added.

One of the reforms he would want to implement during his stay at the Bureau would be to further improve the "paperless transaction" and upgrade the computerization in six to nine months time.

At present , about 60 percent of the processing for export products has been computerized.

He also plans to revive the Letter of Credit as a preventive measure against illegal shipments.

At present, some consignees use the other method, the direct payment system. Under the scheme, they are able to know the name of the consignee and its content only when the shipment arrives at port.

This process, however, often leaves the BOC "pressed for time" and is unable to thoroughly check the cargo, thus raising the possibility that a container van released may contain contraband items.

With the Letter of Credit, their office from the port of origin could easily view the documents.