The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has passed the four stages of the Performance Governance System (PGS) of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA).
This means that the BOC is on its way to become a modernized and credible Customs administration, the bureau said in a statement.
BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the PGS positive development is not the end goal of their journey of transformation: "But merely a means to the real goal, which is the realization of our vision of becoming a modernized and credible Customs administration that is among the world's best."
The PGS is a framework for transformation that empowers institutions to deliver breakthrough results. It contributes to national development and inclusive growth by guiding institutions through a four-stage pathway designed to create, execute, and sustain effective transformation strategies.
ISA, which introduced the system, is an independent group working with government agencies in hopes of achieving socio-economic breakthrough through collaboration.
NAIA Customs passengers service chief Atty Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang led the bureau’s PGS Core Team, which formulated reform programs of the agency.
Highlighted in BOC's attainment of PGS goals are the automation of 82 percent or 139 out of the 170 Customs Processes from only 38 percent in 2019; the implementation of trade facilitation measures and improvement in its performance as reflected in the World Customs Organization (WCO) Implementation Maturity Assessment of 85.08 percent rating; accomplishments in seizure of P63.5 billion worth of various smuggled goods, P7.2 billion illegal drugs, and P1.9 billion agricultural products; and the implementation of fuel marking program which contributed P374.13 billion revenue from duties and taxes collected, among others.