Lawmaker backs privatization of Customs

MANILA - A lawmaker is supporting a proposal to privatize the Bureau of Customs. Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Winston Castelo said privatizing the bureau will cleanse it of corruption and stamp out smuggling. He, however, admits the proposal needs careful and thorough study. Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said abolishing the BoC and replacing it with another agency may not solve the real problem. She said corruption in the Customs bureau is already systemic. She said old employees should be replaced with new and more committed personnel. The BOC has been the target of criticisms lately due to reports of rampant smggling. Skeptics have accused Customs chief Ruffy Biazon of inefficiency. But Biazon dismissed the allegation as a mere hatchet job. ANC NEWS NOW, April 15, 2013