BOC conducts full audit of condemnation facilities

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday said it has conducted a full inspection and audit of all accredited condemnation facilities in the country.

Condemnation facilities are where the seized and abandoned goods from the country's ports are destroyed and disposed.

In a statement, the BOC said the Port Operations Service (POS), through the bureau’s Auction and Cargo Disposal Monitoring Division (ACDMD), has audited 38 facilities comprising 100% of the BOC-accredited condemnation facilities all over the Philippines.

The Customs said BOC Deputy Commissioner Vener Baquiran, head of the BOC’s Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG), ordered the conduct of the audit “to ensure the integrity and compliance of accredited condemnation facilities.”

"These facilities are crucial in maintaining transparency and accountability of our operations,” said Baquiran.

The audit is also pursuant to the issuance of Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 07-2023, which amended CMO No. 24-2021.

CMO No. 07-2023 requires that all applications for accreditation of service contractors to be approved by the Customs deputy commissioner and AOCG head.

The BOC said the order was also aimed at ensuring that all existing accredited condemnation facilities are compliant with previous CMO No. 24-2021, which prescribes the guidelines for the disposal of forfeited commodities through condemnation.

"This audit reflects our commitment in upholding the highest standards of our operations and maintaining public trust with the bureau,” said Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.

In July, the BOC collected P50.072 billion, higher by 5% or P2.398 billion against its goal of P47.674 billion.

The Customs attributed its positive revenue collection performance to the improved valuation and volume of importation, coupled with the intensified collective effort of all ports.  —Ted Cordero/KBK, GMA Integrated News