But its soon-to-be-finished computerization initiative is slowly ushering transformation within the bureau, and is significant enough for the agency to be named as the head of a regional project dubbed "ASEAN Single Window." During a recent forum on e-government readiness sponsored by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology-National Computer Center (CICT-NCC), Deputy Customs Commissioner Alex Arevalo said the agency’s P1.3 billion ASYCUDA (Automated System for Custom Data) project would be completed in the next couple of months and is expected to cut the processing time of cargoes significantly.
The completion of the automation project would also mean that the Philippines, through the BoC, will be ready to facilitate the establishment of the ASEAN Single Window initiative as head of the interagency task force created by ASEAN economic ministers during an informal meeting held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in January 2004.
The ASEAN Single Window concept aims to ensure the expeditious clearance of imports through single submission of data, single data processing, and single decision-making for the release of goods. The single window approach is part of an action plan to establish an e-Customs platform across the ASEAN region.
Arevalo said an executive order is expected to be issued in the next two weeks by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordering trade-related agencies to use a uniform set of documents that can be integrated in the ASEAN system.
The task force headed by Arevalo is eyeing to launch a pilot program of the ASEAN Single Window by September and full implementation by next year. "There is already funding for this project so we’re confident we can get this done based on our timetable," he said.
The customs official said the success of the regionwide initiative, which is aimed at making the flow of goods in the ASEAN region easier to counter to the threat of China, depends on the commitment of each ASEAN membercountry. "The question is not about the readiness but the political will of the each country."
The 10-nation regional association is composed of the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Laos.
Over at the BoC, Arevalo said ASYCUDA program is now on its final phase of deployment, with a $.5 million grant from the US Trade and Development Agency due to arrive in the second quarter of 2005. The grant, when added to the existing fund pooled by the agency, will raise the project’s budget to R1.2 billion.
President Arroyo provided the initial seed fund of R500 million from the egovernment fund, while the
European Commission and Japan International Cooperation Agency gave 1.3 million Euro and $10 million, respectively.
IT company Unisys Philippines was awarded the right to implement the project for R464 million, using Oracle database on Linux operating system.
Arevalo also revealed the BoC has forged an agreement the Bankers Association of the Philippines for a payment gateway wherein traders can pay various fees without going to the banks or to the BoC office.
The payment gateway will be contained in BoC portal currently being constructed undr the ASYCUDA project.
"This single payment gateway can prevent technical smuggling activities such as under declaration and misdeclaration. To further facilitate transaction, we’ll soon incorporate checkless payment in the system," he said.
Autor: Melvin G. Calimag
Quelle: The Manila Bulletin, 07.05.2005
