MANILA, Philippines - The government has tightened the country’s borders to stop smuggling and human trafficking and prevent the entry of diseases.
Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales, Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan and Bureau of Quarantine Director IV Edgardo Sabitsana have agreed to establish a Joint Chiefs of Enforcement Bureau (JCCIQEB) to implement a Strategic Partnership on Immigration, Customs, Quarantine Enforcement or SPICQE.
SPICQE is geared to address common concerns like anti-smuggling operations, revenue collection, plugging tax leaks, trafficking in persons, entrance and clearance of vessels, alien documentation, verification, detention, entry and exclusion, international health surveillance as well as inspection of ocean-going vessels, aircrafts, crew, passengers and cargoes for health purposes, as well as complementing the existing programs and projects of the three agencies.
The three agencies have to set up a permanent CIQS (or Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Security) office and to share information relayed through a CIQS data center.
They will form joint port operations facilities in strategic locations, and accredit and deputize and authorize government officials in unmanned government ports.
They will formulate, design and implement CIQS-related training courses for concerned officials and personnel who will man the joint port operations facilities.
They will jointly require airlines, shipping lines or their agents to submit in advance electronic copies of pertinent data and information such as, but not limited to, the crewlist, passenger and cargo manifest to the executive office of the JCCIQEB. – Evelyn Macairan