THE continuing acquisition of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of X-ray machines have greatly boosted its capacity for “non-intrusive” inspection of imported goods by more than 135 percent, bureau data showed.
Atty. Vincent ‘Jett’ Maronilla, assistant commissioner and concurrent bureau spokesman, said in the first semester of 2019, the BOC had a total of 181,382 scanned containers; for January to July this year, the number had increased to 244,040 containers, he added.
“The faster scanning of containerized shipments while ensuring maximum threat detection is an indication of the intensified non-intrusive inspection capabilities of the Bureau of Customs through advanced x-ray machines,” Maronilla stressed.
While hastening the inspection of goods, Maronilla said the ‘X-Ray Inspection Project’ (XIP), which now operates 124 X-Ray machines, also contributed more than P72.7 million in additional duties and taxes to the government.
He added that the unit’s increased capability to detect smuggled shipments also resulted to the issuance of 93 “WSDs” (warrant of seizure and detention) that resulted to confiscation of misdeclared and smuggled goods.
“The modernization of the scanning technology in the port will not only improve border security and trade facilitation, but also increase the entire port operation’s resiliency and adaptability in times of operational disruption,” the official added.