New Cebu customs chief seeks help from brokers

CEBU, Philippines - The new district collector of the Bureau of Customs in Cebu has asked all brokers to help in the trade facilitation to ensure that the collection target this year is achieved.

Collector Elvira Cruz said she wants all the support of the customs brokers to hit her target considering that it has increased this year from P19 billion to P24 billion.

"I asked them to help and cooperate. I also want brokers and importers na umalis during the time of former Collector (Roberto) Almadin to be back and do business with us," Cruz said.

She met with the customs brokers yesterday to ask their commitment.

"Our commitment is to help market Cebu for importers to do their business here," said Jeffrey Bajao, president of the Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc.-Cebu Chapter.

   Bajao said that Cruz promised them to shorten the processing time in the releasing of cargo.

At present, the releasing process goes through the Assessment Division to the Cash Division then to the Wharfinger Division. Cruz said she wants to exclude the cash division anymore to shorten the process.

"The Cash Division is still there but yung sa processing, I don't think it’s necessary na dadaan pa sa Cash Division. Deretso na from assessment to the wharfinger," Cruz said.

"Let us not give our stakeholders a hard time in transacting with the bureau. I expect everyone's cooperation and I want to suppress smuggling to level the playing field," she added.

With P24 billion target, Cruz said she will try her best to hit it.

"Kasi noong dumating ako dito sa Cebu naka set na yung target. I can't request for a change," said Cruz, who assumed the post last January 19.

Cruz, who came from Mariveles, Bataan where she was a sub-port collector, has been working in the BoC for the last 14 years.

Cruz replaced acting BoC-Cebu district collector Rico Rey Francis "Koko" Holganza who was designated deputy collector for operations.

Under Holganza’s leadership, Cebu posted an unprecedented P1.2 billion collection surplus. Holganza has a target of P17.235 billion but posted an actual collection of P18.472 billion before the year 2016 ended.

Cebu was the only port in the country that was able to collect more than P1 billion surplus. (FREEMAN)