"Not everyone is given the opportunity to become a district collector. There are only 10 ports of entry in the Philippines. Out of the 8,000 BOC employees who want to get the position, there are only 14 district collectors," Salvacion told The STAR in an interview.
"As the new BOC district collector, rest assured that I will give whatever benefits due to you. And I will do my best and lead wisely to serve the Port of Subic," he said.
"My first program is to conduct regular dialogues with the locators inside the freeport zone on how we could further improve our services to them and applying the civil service slogan, "Mamamayan muna at Hindi Mamamya Na," he added.
Salvacion is faced with the challenge of increasing customs collection from the Port of Subic, which is suffering a shortfall in its monthly collection target because of the government clampdown on used-motor vehicle importation.
Salvacion will be succeeding district collector Marietta Zamoranos, who will be moving to the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
Salvacion’s appointment was welcomed by Zamoranos and other Subic officials who have previously worked with him as the former deputy collector for assessment here until he was promoted to BOC district collector of the Port of Clark more than six months ago.
Zamoranos, who has been delegated to be the new MICP deputy collector for operations, noted in her farewell message that she was more than happy that Salvacion was the one chosen to succeed her.
"This is my sixth turn-over," said Zamoranos, who earned herself quite a reputation for being uncorruptible to port officials and Subic-Olongapo residents during her assignment as district collector.
Salvacion, on the other hand, waxed nostalgic over his return to the Port of Subic "If you remember, once upon a time I said I will be the next McArthur, now I have returned," Salvacion also said. – Bebot Sison Jr