Time to ‘revive’ the reward system versus smuggling

On Jul 17, 2025

AS PART of his reform agenda, it would not be bad for Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno to dust off and order a review of Customs Administrative Order (CAO) 03-2022, the guidelines pertaining to the giving of reward for informants against smugglers.

With a collection shortfall of around P700 million in the first half of 2025 and about P28 billion in 2024 (P959 billion target versus P931 billion collection) left behind by his predecessor, Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, Comm. Nepomuceno needs all the help he can muster. And this can include ‘reviving’ the public’s interest to help in revenue generation by tipping off the BOC on the activities of smugglers on the expectation that they would be rewarded accordingly.

CAO 03-2022 stated that a 20 percent cash reward would be given to any informant to be taken from the additional government revenue generated from the disposal of smuggled goods.

The percentage is considered “fair” given the difficulty of proving that smuggling is about to take place as well as the difficulty of actually collecting the cash reward.

Last year, the BOC apprehended more than P85 billion worth of smuggled goods. Before Comm. Nepomuceno assumed office early this month, the BOC, in two instances, apprehended over P135 million worth of smuggled agricultural goods.

The percentage is considered “fair” given the difficulty of proving that smuggling is about to take place as well as the difficulty of actually collecting the cash reward.

Majority of these apprehensions are “intelligence-driven,’ meaning, someone provided the information to the BOC.

And yet, no recognition, nay not even a “pat in the back” was given to those brave and patriotic enough in risking their personal safety and that of their families to help the government foil the activities of smuggling syndicates.

Indeed, since the issuance of CAO 03-2022, I have yet to hear, or learn, of anyone benefiting from the reward system against smugglers, thus defeating its purpose of encouraging public participation in the war against economic sabotage, which is what smuggling really is.

What about it, Comm. Nepomuceno?

Abangan!