Ex-PDEA official assumes BOC post

MANILA, Philippines — Vowing to curb smuggling and corruption, a former regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday took over as acting commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Yogi Filemon Ruiz replaced Rey Leonardo Guerrero as BOC chief during a turnover ceremony.

Ruiz warned BOC officials and employees involved in corruption and smuggling to “toe the line or be punished.”

He was sworn into office by President Marcos on July 20.

Ruiz said he was grateful to the President for appointing him as BOC commissioner.

Prior to his appointment, Ruiz headed the BOC Enforcement and Security Service for almost five years. He also served as regional director of the PDEA in Central Visayas.

“As an insider, I have seen the gaps where we need to improve. By doing system changes in those areas, we can eliminate corruption. I intend to do that kaya magpasensyahan tayo,” he said.

Ruiz apologized to Customs personnel if they would be affected by the policies that he would be implementing.

He laid down the priorities of the BOC focusing on addressing the smuggling of drugs, guns and agricultural products as well as increasing government revenues.

As the second largest revenue generating agency, Ruiz said the BOC is mandated to deliver financial resources to fund the government’s programs.

The BOC set a revenue collection target of P733 billion this year.

For the first semester of 2022, total Customs collection reached P396.8 billion, which is 31.5 percent higher than the P301.75 billion in the same period last year.

The six-month revenue collection is also 21 percent or P70 billion higher than the target of P327.81 billion.

Asked if he would reshuffle BOC officials, Ruiz replied, “Right now, the collection districts are performing better. So why fix something that is not broken? But we would give them target revenue collection for the month. If they cannot hit their target, then expect that they will be replaced.”

Ruiz said he plans to meet with Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla to discuss the smuggling cases that the BOC filed in court, most of which have been dismissed.

Apart from higher revenue collection and curbing smuggling, Ruiz promised to fully digitalize Customs processes, increase employees’ morale and eradicate corruption.

To date, 91.76 percent or 156 out of the 170 Customs processes are automated. – Louise Maureen Simeon