What awaits incoming Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon?

MANILA, Philippines – What can incoming Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon expect when he assumes office on July 1? 

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte chose former Philippine Marine captain Nicanor Faeldon to head the Bureau of Customs (BOC), a department often identified as among the country’s most corrupt goverment agencies. 

The agency incurred a shortfall amounting to P43.25 billion in the past 5 months. An initial collection report from the agency also showed that the Department of Finance-attached agency collected P154.86 billion as against its target of P198.11 billion from January to May. 

For May 2016 alone, the agency registered a deficit of P8.85 billion – a discrepancy from the 21.8% for its collection of P31.78 billion. Compared to their 2015 collection, the bureau recorded higher collection figures with P26.76 billion.

The collection performance report also showed that last month’s collections were up 18.8% over revenues in May 2015. 

To prepare Faeldon, outgoing Commissioner Alberto Lina met with him in Cebu and gave him parting recommendations on people management, 24/7 operations, computerization, and trade facilitation. 

Lina said that part of the major challenges for Faeldon is to collect up to P1.4 billion in revenues a day. He also gave his sucessor crucial pointers on how to prevent corruption, evaluate staff members, and offer compensation packages to BOC employees.

“The discipline is there. I am hoping because they have a different set-up,” Lina said. 

Despite the tremendous challenges that await him, outgoing commissioner Lina remained optimistic Faeldon will be able to cope with the 24/7 working environment in the agency.

There were 4 BOC commissioners who served under the Aquino administration. Benigno Aquino III appointed Angelito Alvarez in 2010. He resigned in 2011 amid talks of Aquino wanting to appoint losing senatorial candidate Rufino Biazon.

Biazon, on the other hand, announced his “irrevocable resignation” in 2013 after he was implicated in the pork barrel scam. John P. Sevilla led the agency for two years until 2015. He resigned after announcing he won’t allow the agency to be used for campaign fundraising for the 2016 elections. – Rappler.com