LAST week a number of newspaper articles quoted the new BOC Commissioner Ruffy Biazon in relation to implementation of electronic-to-mobile (e2m) Customs System. Among these are news items are the following:
BusinessMirror (25 September) – BOC Wants To Rescind Unisys Contract
BusinessWorld (27 September) – Access To Cargo Manifests To Be Restricted
BusinessWorld (27 September) – Internet-Enabled Processing Pushed
Upon the request of some of our readers, I am providing additional clarification on these news reports.
BOC Wants To Rescind Unisys Contract
The Php500-million contract for e2m Customs Automation Project was awarded to the consortium led by Unisys Corporation after a bidding way back during the mid-2000s. Unisys is the primary contractor and system integrator while Webb Fontaine is the sub-contractor that provided the software. The news report states that BOC wants to hold Unisys responsible for non-implementation of some e2m system modules which are either not yet implemented or are encountering system-related problems.
Unisys is also the same entity which was awarded during the late 1990s the contract to develop and implement the old Automated Customs Operations System (ACOS). ACOS was to have been replaced by the e2m system. As of today, ACOS is still operating at the port of NAIA and sub-port of Mactan.
Access To Cargo Manifests To Be Restricted
This pertains to ongoing requests by industry groups and private entities outside of the Bureau of Customs for copies of the inward foreign manifest supposedly for use in helping BOC in its anti-smuggling campaign. The news item does not specify whether the issue is about electronic manifest or hard copy manifest.
It is to be noted that other government agencies outside of BOC also require shipping lines, shipping agents and forwarders to submit to them copies of the inward foreign manifest in compliance with certain official regulations. These agencies include the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Ports Authority.
Internet-Enabled Processing Pushed
This news report quotes BOC Commissioner Biazon as saying that some components of e2m Customs System are not yet implemented due to pending review of implementing guidelines. The review process already started during the term of former Commissioner Napoleon Morales.
The system components identified are Passenger Baggage Information System, Raw Materials Liquidation System, and the Automated Bonds Management System.
Commissioner Biazon has reportedly instructed the conduct of an immediate review of the e2m system within 30 days so the entire system is 100% fully implemented as soon as possible.
Other e2m System Modules Not Yet Fully Mandatory
Many of our readers suggested that as part of the abovementioned e2m system review, BOC should also take a serious look into the final mandatory implementation dates for advance electronic manifest submission by airlines and airfreight forwarders, as well as e2m Automated Export Declaration System.
In addition, many of them want to be clarified on the exact nature of integration between e2m System and the National Single Window (NSW) System.
Leo V. Morada is a domain expert on IT applications in Philippine port operations with 25 years senior IT management experience implementing technology solutions in port operations, electronic transactions with customs & port authority, and air/sea port community system applications. He is currently CEO of Cargo Data Exchange Center, Inc, a customs-accredited Value Added Service Provider. He can be contacted at lmorada3f1@yahoo.com).
