BOC tightens safeguards on seized, forfeited, abandoned goods

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Tuesday that it will implement various measures to strengthen the monitoring and disposition of seized, forfeited and abandoned goods.

“It is important that all seized goods in the custody of the BOC are properly guarded. We continue to strengthen our monitoring, security and coordination to ensure their proper care and lawful disposition,” Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said in a statement.

Among the measures being considered by the BOC is the development of a real-time monitoring dashboard for items under customs custody to track their status and movement.

The bureau will also install additional CCTV cameras and deploy more personnel in identified storage and holding areas.

Further, the BOC is looking to purchase body-worn cameras for its personnel during inspection and handling activities.

Meanwhile, the BOC is actively clearing out legally forfeited and abandoned goods that have met all regulatory requirements to prevent warehouse congestion.

The Department of Finance earlier said the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the BOC are expected to step up their collection efforts as the government's total revenues are projected to reach P5.5 trillion by the end of the current administration.— MCG, GMA News