A customer care center intended to streamline customs transactions and stop “systemic corruption” was finally opened at the Port of Subic, the Bureau of Customs said Wednesday (Sep. 9).

It is the fifth customer care center built by the Customs bureau in its ports after Manila, Legaspi, Batangas, and Surigao have already opened their respective central hubs.
 
Like in other ports, the customer care center in Subic will serve as a central hub or one-stop shop for Customs-related transactions such as document receiving and releasing, payment, document tracking, information, among others.
 
According to the bureau, it is also in support of their effort to “re-engineer the Customs systems and processes towards a credible and efficient customs service.”
 
The central hub also aims “to address the systemic corruption in the bureau through a faceless transaction.” 
 
Through the customer care center, stakeholders will be restricted from directly transacting with any Customs officials, examiners, appraisers and other personnel of the bureau to minimize the opportunity for illegal practices.
 
It will be the main focal point of BOC stakeholders for all customs-related inquiries.
 
A team of trained and professional Customs Service Personnel will be assigned at the Customer Care Center in Subic to ensure smooth delivery of its services, District Collector Maritess Martin said.
 
She also commended the collaborative efforts of all personnel of the port who have committed themselves to make the central hub possible.
 
The district collector also emphasized the importance of instituting reforms and modernization for a streamlined customs administration in line with international standards. 
 
The central hub was inaugurated on September 8 and was attended by “only a few officials of the port,” Martin said.