Manila, Philippines - Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon yesterday emphasized the need to carry out a major overhaul of the country’s national customs system including the possible abolishment of the agency and rebuilding it from scratch.

Speaking before members of the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, and European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Biazon said firing officials or employees is not enough to weed out corruption in the agency given  alliances inside and outside of the agency that allow smuggling and undervaluation of goods brought into the country.

“What we need is a complete overhaul of the agency. Cut and come clean. If we really want to change the system we might as well abolish the Bureau and build it from the ground up under a new management and team”, said Biazon.

Biazon, who has been head of the BOC for the past 18 months, said it was difficult to break up the padrino system inside and outside of the agency that allows smuggling and undervaluation of shipments.

“Commissioners come and go but it seems that Customs has always remained the same. So long as the kalakaran system prevails, corruption will stay,” Biazon said.

Biazon also emphasized the need to complete its modernization and computerization program as part of its vision for a technology-driven agency. 

Source: The Philippine Star; Business; 22 March 2013