Solons seek upgrade of customs systems to fulfill ASEAN commitment

Lawmakers sought on Monday the full implementation of the National Single Window (NSW)  System not only to upgrade the country's customs system,  but also to fulfill the Philippines' commitment as a member-country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

During a virtual meeting of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Muntinlupa lone District Rep. Rozzano Rufino "Ruffy" Biazon said the NSW System is needed to fully modernize customs automation processes, as it interconnects government agencies involved in the processing of import and export shipments. 

"This was supposed to have the backing of the President,  whoever the sitting President back then, , I did not feel  that there was a drive by the DOF to push this. Now nandito tayo sa 2020 (that we are in 2020), hanggang ngayon (until now),  I don't feel the drive of the DOF to push for the single window," he said. 

"How is it that the government does not seem to have enough motivation to do this thing which really will reform customs? Dun ako nagtataka (I cannot help,  but wonder)," he added.

AAMBIS-OWA partylist Rep. Sharon Garin, vice chairperson the House Committee on Ways and Means, who presided the meeting, agreed with Biazon, saying  the NSW program should be pursued, given that coordination among agencies has become a problem. 

"For example, now I am trying to check about the illicit trade on tobacco, iniisa ko pa ang agencies (I am checking all the agencies). Hihingi pa ko ng report sa BIR (I will ask a report from BIR), hihingi pa ako sa inyo ng data (I will ask a data from the BOC) on the importation of unmanufactured leaves... With the single window system, we can check how many exports-- certain commodities are coming from China and we can connect with other countries.  Right now, we are not ready. Hopefully, soon enough, we have realized that the programs which are not prioritized are actually the ones we need in order for us to become very efficient," Garin explained.

The House leader asked the BOC to submit its plans on automation. 

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero relayed to the House panel, chaired by Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda that there "has been no significant development" as far as the NSW is concerned. 

He said the BOC has sought the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to encourage regulatory agencies to be involved in the NSW.

Currently,  the NSW is being utilized by only 16 of the 24 trade-regulatory agencies.