BOC takes possession of 4 new Container X-ray machines
To further boost trade facilitation, anti-smuggling effort
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) last November 5, 2021, formally take possession of 4 new ‘Mobile Container X-Ray’ machines that are expected to further boost the agency’s trade facilitation policy and anti-smuggling effort.
Welcoming the machines’ arrival and blessing at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) are Comm. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, all the bureau’s deputy commissioners, district collectors and other key bureau officials.
Also in attendance were Department of Finance Assistant Secretary Dakila Elteen Napao; Atty. Mark Brian Dela Cruz, vice president, Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) and representatives from Nuctech Company, headed by Mr. Gao Peng.
The additional assets have features that allow non-intrusive scans at a rate of 120 containers per hour and can produce clearer pictures of items being scanned.
The high-performance scanning capability of these additional assets is expected to significantly improve the capacity of the BOC in identifying smuggled commodities by allowing non-intrusive detection of goods within containerized shipments in a short period.
These capabilities were demonstrated by XIP and the Nuctech Company, the supplier, after the blessing of the procured units.
The acquisition increased to 128 the current number of X-ray machines in the bureau’s inventory.
Assistant Commissioner and bureau spokesman, Atty. Vincent Maronilla, said the new x-ray units would be deployed to ports with “high-volume scanning operations,” namely, the Manila International Container Port, Port of Cebu, Port of Subic, and Port of Cagayan De Oro.
In his message, Guerrero stressed that the procurement of the additional assets is in line with the directives of President Duterte to intensify efforts against the entry of smuggled goods in the country.
“The bureau has consistently modernized its processes and procedures under his administration, one of which is the procurement of the additional assets.
“Through his leadership, the Bureau of Customs has undergone substantial transformation and reformation”, Guerrero said.
Guerrero also cited the PITC, which negotiated the purchase, for being a “consistent partner” of the agency.
The PITC also previously assisted the BOC in the procurement of ‘body worn cameras’ that have already been deployed to the country’s various collection districts for their use during actual field operations to promote transparency.
