Salceda bares 'first request' to new BOC chief Rubio

Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda wants newly-minted Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio to find out what has been delaying the agency's computerization efforts.

"My first request to Commissioner Rubio would be to look into bottlenecks in implementing the BOC’s computerization," Salceda said in a statement Friday, Feb. 10.

"This, based on our studies, would be one of the most effective ways to limit technical and outright smuggling in our ports," noted the House Committee on Ways and Means chairman.

At any rate, Salceda appears to have high hopes for the BOC, with Rubio now at the helm.

"Commissioner Rubio worked under the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group prior to his appointment as full-time commissioner. I am thus hopeful that he would act immediately to curtail rampant undervaluation in our ports," Salceda said.

"I am also hopeful that he would be able to help address the perennial issues of misdeclaration, especially in palm oil, wheat, and other key agricultural commodities where there are differences in tariff among similar products," added the Bicolano.

"Having the ports run on time is also essential as the economy picks up. This forms part of Commissioner Rubio’s experience. I expect more imports of capital goods and other products necessary for business in the coming months. Part of his mandate must be to ensure that these goods are released without delay," he further said.