MANILA, Philippines — Wanting to set the direction of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) for the new year, BoC Commissioner Ruffy Biazon has laid down five cornerstones of his stewardship in the hope of changing the tainted image of the revenue-generating agency.

The only thing left is whether he would be around long enough to implement the reforms.

Biazon said that if given the opportunity to serve the bureau until the remainder of President Aquino’s term, a new Customs would emerge.

Essentially, Biazon wants to get rid of corruption in the BoC with institutional and operational reforms.

This includes paperless transactions in the BoC through online operations and the speedy releases of clearances.

The paperless Customs process has already been set in motion with the implementation of a R192-million computerization upgrading.

This allows less human intervention in Customs transactions, thus limiting the opportunities for graft.

For his second cornerstone, Biazon envisions an “established system of advancement where BoC employees can plan out their career path, free from external intervention or influence with an environment of high level professionalism.”

The Customs chief believes that well-compensated Customs personnel makes them less susceptible to temptations.

“It is a fact that every day in their lives, they are being tempted (to perform illegal actions). This is the reason why we are asking our lawmakers to review the benefits offered to BoC personnel,” Biazon said.

Third, Biazon also wants to embark on a “system and business process where opportunities for compromise and abusive discretion are prevented.”

This includes a changed mind-set, with BoC employees having a public service orientation rather than a feeling of authority.

For his fourth cornerstone, the son of a former Chief of Staff and the former chairman of the defense committee in the House of Representatives said he would institute the merit system where “excellence and efficiency” are rewarded.

Lastly, Biazon said he would implement a personnel management patterned after that of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Rotation, revamp and reshuffle will be implemented on a need basis, based on the AFP style.

Shortly after assuming office, Biazon had noted that some Customs personnel were occupying positions without credentials and qualifications.

He cited one official assigned at the Customs Management Information Systems and Technology Group who was not qualified for the job.

Worse, some occupied career posts without eligibility and were only able to get those posts because they had powerful political backers.

Once the reforms are in place, Biazon expects a paradigm shift where Filipinos can be proud of the Customs service.

“It will be a Customs that they can trust,” he said.

As he marked his first 100 days at the BoC, Biazon said he’s about to get pass through the learning curve, which should silence the skeptics, the critics and naysayers who did not give him a chance at all from the very beginning.

Biazon said his first few months at the BoC were a huge challenge, considering his lack of experience.