Customs develops risk management awareness program

The Bureau of Customs said over the weekend it has developed a management program that seeks to improve trade and border control across ports controlled by the agency.

In an statement, the BOC said the Risk Management Awareness Program (RMAP) will institutionalize the Risk Management System which will implement "efficient trade facilitation" and "effective border control."

"Risk Management Awareness Program is expected to be fully cascaded to all BOC offices until the first quarter of 2020," it said.

The latest development comes after the BOC's Customs Risk Management Steering Committee (CRMS) in August conducted a workshop with the Dutch Customs on risk management.

"Presently, the BOC is geared towards adapting Customs international best practice that will aid in developing a Selectivity System that will improve cargo clearance while keeping the borders secured," said the BOC.

The BOC said it has also reactivated the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG) which covers the profiling or information analysis on importers, customs brokers, and other stakeholders.

The audit is conducted within three years after the release of the goods to verify the accuracy and authenticity of the declarations.

"Post clearance audit ensures that the correct duties and taxes are collected and provides another avenue for revenue collection," said PCAG Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla.

"Erring importers should desist in engaging in fraudulent and negligent declarations since they can be held liable in both the civil and criminal aspect," he elaborated.

Latest data available indicates that BOC collections grew 13% to P59.209 billion in September this year, on the back of higher duties collected in light of tax reform measures. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/LBG, GMA News