Tan out, Bibit in at Customs Cebu

CEBU — Teary-eyed Bureau of Customs employees bid farewell to district collector Juan Tan the other day after learning that he had been reassigned to Manila.

Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo, in a brief visit here Friday, announced in a press conference at the Mactan Cebu International Airport that Tan will be replaced by collector Billy Bibit, amid the dwindling revenue collection of the Cebu port.

"Because I want to try somebody who can increase the revenue of the bureau, Tan’s reassignment is purely a managerial decision. Certainly, there is no politics involved there," Bernardo said.

Presidential Liaison Officer Elberto Emphasis also denied that he was instrumental in Tan’s reassignment.

Bernardo said the Cebu port is one of the revenue collection districts that have incurred a huge revenue shortfall.

Based on records of the Customs assessment division, the Port of Cebu has incurred a revenue shortfall from January to May 30 this year.

Within the period, the port had a target collection of P793 million but only managed to collect P639 million.

Tan could not hide his sadness over his sudden transfer and making matters worse, he has been reassigned to the bureau’s human resource department in Manila.

Such a reassignment is equivalent to a "floating status."

Although Bernardo insisted there was no politics involved in Tan’s reassignment, talks circulated within the bureau that Bibit is reportedly close to First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, who might have had a hand in the move.

Bibit is the former district collector of Clark Field in Pampanga. He is expected to assume the Cebu post tomorrow. — Freeman News Service