New Subic Customs collector installed

Newly-appointed Customs Commissioner Antonio M. Bernardo, installed Felipe Bartolome as the new Collector of Customs of the Subic Freeport Zone, in an awarding and turnover ceremony held at the Subic Bay Custom’s Building yesterday ending the five-month squabble for the contested position.

Former Subic Bay Collector Billy Bibit has been assigned to his new post as Collector of Customs of Clark Air Base in Angeles, Pampanga now a principal port.

In the same ceremony, Bernardo awarded the Subic Bay Customs District under the leadership of Bibit a plaque of recognition as Outstanding District Collection of the Year 2001. The district was able to overshoot its collection target of P1.3 billion to a total collection of P2.7 billion.

Bibit expressed his appreciation to BoC employees, saying that if not for their support and cooperation the district would not have attained the big collection. Bartolome said this posted as a challenge for him to perform at par or better than Bibit and asked the support and cooperation of BoC employees to be able to do so.

Bartolome said that during his administration, "There will be no compromise with respect to the collection of duties and taxes. What is due to the government should be given to the government, not a cent more, not a cent less."

Bartolome said he will continue the programs and systems implemented by Bibit. He will hold regular dialogue with the importers and exporters of the Freeport Zone and would make his office open and accessible to improve working relationship with them.

Bartolome also promised to erase the impression on many people that Subic Bay is a haven for smuggling.