Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance BUREAU OF CUSTOMS 1099 Manila 6 September 2016 CUSTOMS SPECIAL ORDER NO. i SUBJECT: CREATION OF A COMMAND CENTER UNDER THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS |. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE The Bureau of Customs (BOC), with the passage of Republic Act No. 10863 otherwise known as “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016" (CMTA), is mandated to protect and enhance government revenue, institute fair and transparent customs and tariff management, and prevent and curtail any form of customs fraud and illegal acts. In order to prevent and eliminate smuggling and all forms of customs fraud, and centralize the Bureau's operations particularly in the areas of trade facilitation, and border control, a Command Center (ComCen) under the Office of the Commissioner (OCOM) is hereby created to act as a central governing body, which will be composed mostly of personnel from different offices of the Bureau whose functions are directly related to human resources, operational and technical expertise, and security facilities and equipment. I GENERAL MANDATE The ComCen is a command and control facility whose primary purpose to provide the Commissioner with situational awareness of the various Collection Districts. It is also tasked to monitor, coordinate and supervise the different facets of customs administration in order to generate the operational data for informed decision- making and immediate action. Ill POWERS AND FUNCTIONS The ComCen shall have the following powers and functions: 1. Actas the coordinating facility of the Operations Groups in the proper collection of customs duties and taxes, enforcement of tariff and customs laws, prevention and suppression of all forms of customs fraud, government revenue leakages, and other economic frauds within all ports of entry, supervision and monitoring of the movements of imports, exports, foreign mails, and the clearance of vessels and aircrafts in all ports of entry; 2. Monitor and supervise the daily operations of the principal ports of entry and sub-ports, as well as the regular performance of duties by the District Collectors BUREAU OF CUSTOMS Central Records Management Division SEP 07 2016 ) By: Tes r=Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance BUREAU OF CUSTOMS 1099 Manila 6 September 2016 CUSTOMS SPECIAL ORDER No. SUBJECT: CREATION OF A COMMAND CENTER UNDER THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE The Bureau of Customs (BOC), with the passage of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016" (CMTA), is mandated to protect and enhance government revenue, institute fair and transparent customs and tariff management, and prevent and curtail any form of customs fraud and illegal acts. In order to prevent and eliminate smuggling and all forms of customs fraud, and centralize the Bureau's operations particularly in the areas of trade facilitation, and border control, a Command Center (ComCen) under the Office of the Commissioner (OCOM) is hereby created to act as a central governing body, which will be composed mostly of personnel from different offices of the Bureau whose functions are directly related to human resources, operational and technical expertise, and security facilities and equipment ll, GENERAL MANDATE The ComCen is a command and control facility whose primary purpose to provide the Commissioner with situational awareness of the various Collection Districts. It is also tasked to monitor, coordinate and supervise the different facets of customs administration in order to generate the operational data for informed decision- making and immediate action Il POWERS AND FUNCTIONS The ComCen shall have the following powers and functions: 1. Actas the coordinating facility of the Operations Groups in the proper collection of customs duties and taxes, enforcement of tariff and customs laws, prevention and suppression of all forms of customs fraud, government revenue leakages, and other economic frauds within all ports of entry, supervision and monitoring of the movements of imports, exports, foreign mails, and the clearance of vessels and aircrafts in all ports of entry: 2. Monitor and supervise the daily operations of the principal ports of entry and sub-ports, as well as the regular performance of duties by the District Collectors10. " 12. and/or Customs Service Duty Officers using available communication and information technology; Coordinate and monitor the lodgment of goods declared for consumption, warehousing, admission, transit, and transshipment; Collate information on significant events, and activities of all Collection Districts and Sub-Ports, law enforcement and regulating agencies, customs stakeholders and open source media, and immediately disseminate reports that warrant the attention of the Commissioner of Customs and other bureau officials, the Department of Finance (DOF), the Presidential Situation Room (PSR), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Operations Center (NDRRMC-OPCEN), and other relevant government entities; Prepare and conduct Update Brief to the Commissioner as required; Take immediate action on significant operational matters to ensure proper implementation of all customs rules and regulations and directives from the Commissioner; In coordination with the appropriate Group Support Cells, maintain updated information/data on the disposition, location, and contact details of customs operating units, and direct communication lines to Operation Centers of other law enforcement and regulatory agencies; In coordination with the Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and other relevant port and maritime agencies, monitor the disposition and activities of sea vessels operating within the country's area of responsibility; In coordination with the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Air Transportation Office (ATO), and other relevant aerospace agencies, monitor the disposition and activities of air vessels operating within the country's area of responsibility, Facilitate verification and effective liaising with government regulatory agencies and private entities that issue import documents, permits, and certifications; Maintain a secure communication linkage between the Bureau Headquarters and the Collection Districts, Sub-Ports and other operating units; and Perform other functions as required by the Commissioner or other competent authorities. ORGANIZATION The ComCen is under the direct supervision of the Commissioner of Customs. It will be led by a ComCen Head and supported by personnel from Bureau offices performing relevant functions as follows:Intelligence and Enforcement Groups (|G and EG) - for needed intelligence information related to enforcement of customs and tariff laws and other economic activities, as well as the lawful exercise of police authority by the Bureau; Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) - for immediate availability of information on issues involving valuation, classification, tules of origin, and preferential treatise privileges, and for the monitoring of export activities, warehousing and port operations, and the auction and disposal of forfeited goods; Revenue Collection Monitoring Group (RCMG) — for accurate information in the accounting of revenue collected and remitted, utilization of tax credit, deferred payments, legal requirements of the Bureau and the timely disposition of seizures and administrative cases, and the successful handling of criminal cases on smuggling, and needed information and analysis of collection statistical data; Management Information System and Technology Group (MISTG) ~ for integration of needed information through connectivity of the E2M system, and coordination with the management and control of IT facilities and services, and system connectivity with sub-units; Risk Management Office (RMO) - for the immediate access of data needed in profiling operations and risk assessment for border control, monitoring of selectivity screens in the processing of cargo clearance for revenue generations; X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) - for effective implementation of non- intrusive means in the examination of shipments and apprehension of misdeclared shipments; and Accounts Management Office (AMO) — for availability of information about importers, brokers and other stakeholders doing business in the Bureau. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICAL REQUIREMENTS Personnel requirements will be sourced from the different BOC offices and if necessary, from the pool of contractual employees through the issuance by the Bureau's personnel Orders in accordance with pertinent rules and regulations on personnel movement; and The ComCen operational and logistical requirements shall be drawn from the existing funds of the Office of the Commissioner subject to availability of funds and applicable auditing rules, regulations, and procedures.Vv. EFFECTIVITY All orders, issuances, memoranda, rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed, modified or revoked as the case maybe. NICANOR E,/FAELDON ommigsioner nyt SEP 07 2016 This Order shall take effect immediately.Vv. EFFECTIVITY All orders, issuances, memoranda, rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed, modified or revoked as the case maybe. This Order shall take effect immediately. ‘ NICANORE. FAELDON Commissioner SEP 07 2016