661 to take exams for Customs posts

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 661 applicants will take the competency examination of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) this month for vacant positions and promotions in the agency.

The exams will be held on Dec. 14 in the National Capital Region and cities of Cebu and Davao, the BOC said in a statement.

Over 1,000 positions are up for grabs at the BOC main office in Port Area, Manila and various collection districts throughout the country. 

A total of 84 applicants applied for supervisory positions while 562 applied for non-supervisory positions. Fifteen additional applicants for first-level or entry-level positions will no longer take the competency exam, but they will still undergo personal interview.

First-level positions include administrative assistant, assistant customs operations officer, intelligence agent and special agent.

The list of examinees is posted on the BOC website, www.customs.gov.ph. They are required to bring two valid government-issued identification cards, ball pen and lead pencil.

The exam will focus on Customs-related issues, trade and tariff matters as well as specific aptitude and skills for the positions the examinee is applying for. 

About 16 percent of the over 6,000 applicants who took the General Aptitude Test administered by the Civil Service Commission on Aug. 31 and Sept. 28 passed the exam.

A total of 84 applicants for supervisory posts passed. For the non-supervisory posts, 579 applicants passed, with two of them without career service eligibility.