Over 50 district and deputy collectors, other Customs officials given new assignments

By Raymund Antonio

A sweeping change greeted Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials and personnel for the new year, with several district collectors, deputy collectors, and division chiefs assigned to new posts.

In Customs Personnel Orders dated from Dec. 27, 2017, to Jan. 3, 2018, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña implemented the reshuffle of key officials in the agency’s 17 collection districts nationwide.

More than 50 personnel in the bureau were given new assignments. He has reassigned 478 officers and personnel since he assumed office last year.

Commissioner Lapena named Fidel Villanueva, of the Customs Container Control Division of the Manila International Container Port (MICP), as the acting collector of the Port of Subic, replacing Customs Operations Officer CiriacoUgay, the port’s acting deputy collector for assessment.

Commissioner Lapena assigned lawyer Balmyrson Valdez as the acting district collector of the Manila International   Container Port (MICP) and former Port of Manila collector Rhea Gregorio as the port’s new deputy collector for assessment.Gregorio was also assigned as one of Valdez’ deputies, along with Michael Angelo Vargas and Athena Dans for operations and administration, respectively.

At the Port of Manila (POM), lawyer Vener Baquiran was appointed district collector; Ernelito Aquino, acting deputy collector for operations; Ramon Anquilan, deputy collector for assessment; Gerardo Macatangay, deputy collector for administration; and Antonio Meliton Pascual, chief of the formal entry division.

Former MICP collector Vincent Philip Maronilla was assigned as collector at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA); together with Ruby Claudia Alameda, as acting deputy collector for operations; Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr. as deputy collector for assessment;  and Marlon Agaceta as chief of  the law division.

Lapeña said  the orders shall take effect immediately and shall last until revoked. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III approved the orders last Jan. 10 and Jan. 15.

The commissioner also assigned new collectors of other ports, namely lawyer Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang, Port of Legazpi; Guillermo Pedro Francia IV, Port of Limay; Jose Naig,Tacloban; John Simon, Iloilo; and Zaldy Almoradie, Sub-port of Mariveles; among others.

Lapeña designated Collector Romeo Allan Rosales as the new acting chief of the Customs Intelligence Division and district commanders of BOC's Enforcement and Security Service.