MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / July 13, 2014) – The Bureau of Customs said it has collected some P972,977 in duties and taxes following the installation of new X-ray machines at the country’s premier Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“So far, the new fixed X-ray machines in NAIA have made significant headway in ensuring that duties and taxes are properly paid, and at the same time, prompted the seizure of undeclared, high-value items,” said Julito Doria, Office-in-Charge of the agency’s X-ray Inspection Project.
He said the installations of the new machines were part of an effort to beef up their capability to detect highly taxable, including undeclared foreign currencies, and even prohibited drugs hidden in travelers’ luggage.
Four state-of-the-art fixed baggage Nutech X-ray machines were installed in May – the first tranche of eight machines purchased by the BOC early this year.
He said aside from NAIA, two other X-ray machines were also installed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and one each at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga and the Kalibo International Airport in Aklan. The Bureau allocated about P145 million for the purchase of new X-Ray machines, he said.
“The additional X-ray machines will allow us to better detect contraband goods being smuggled in by airline passengers, rather than just relying on profiling techniques. It will allow us to release luggage faster and improve the traveling experience for passengers,” Doria said.
He said the improving customs processes at the airports is a priority project of Customs Commissioner John Sevilla.
Last April, the BOC scrapped the mandatory Customs Declaration Form for passengers arriving on international flights if they carry only goods that are duty-free and required passengers to queue at either the red or green lane for customs clearance at the airport.
The Green lane is for those with “Nothing to Declare,” meaning they do not have items in their baggage that are not subject to duties and taxes, can be brought-in duty-free and are not subject to any import prohibition, regulation or restriction. On the other hand, the Red lane is for passengers who bring-in goods are subject to import duties or taxes, are above the exempted Customs limits, or are prohibited, controlled or regulated by several statues.
The BOC also plans to procure additional fixed X-ray machines this year, aside from at least six hand-held X-ray units and four mobile X-ray machines.
These will be deployed in international airports, including those in Laoag and Davao. In tandem with the X-ray machines, the BOC will also install close-circuit television systems, initially at the NAIA. The acquisition of CCTVs is expected to be completed next year.
It was unknown why Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro airports were not provided new X-ray machines.
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