Belmonte assumes post as collector of Cebu Port

Optimism in surpassing collection targets marked the tone of Ricardo Belmonte as he took over the post of district collector of the Cebu Port Customs from Maria Lourdes Mangaoang who was transferred to the Iloilo Port.

In the turnover ceremonies yesterday, Belmonte said, "I'm optimistic that we can surpass our collection targets, improve our basic services, and further enrich our government's partnership with the business enterprises in Cebu."

In his acceptance speech, Belmonte urged Customs personnel to work together to achieve the target collection saying that achieving the target "is not an individual thing but a collective effort."

Belmonte, who just came from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila, said that district collectors of all ports nationwide have been ordered to meet collection targets to raise revenues for the national government. "To that end I will work for that," he said.

Belmonte said he might get some of his staff from NAIA to join him in Cebu Port in the meantime he is still familiarizing with his new post.

"If we can appropriately monitor and guard our ports, by effectively manning the transit of goods going in and out of Cebu, then we would have done the better service for our people," he said.

Belmonte was not bothered with the recent Social Weather Station survey that put the Bureau of Customs among the most corrupt agencies of the government. "As long as you have a clear conscience," he said.

Belmonte said that one of his policies, as collector in Cebu, is "transparency" in the collection of duties and taxes. "A transparent system can be used effectively in forging strong partnership with businessmen and stakeholders in the city," he said.

"We should maintain the quality of passenger services in our international seaports and airport, particularly in the smooth transition and clearance of incoming and outgoing passengers. Our technology and modern practices are advantages that we can build on," said Belmonte.

Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales, who sent a message for the turnover rites, said that "professionalism" is the magic word of the times.

It may have been painful to cause some dislocation and inconvenience to key officers of the bureau, but effective governance must be upheld at all times, said Morales adding that "reshuffle may be bitter, but it will certainly make everyone better."

Morales said, "Nothing personal, nothing political. This personnel movement is revenue-dedicated, nothing more, nothing less," Morales said, as he wished for the success of Mangaoang in Iloilo City and appealed for the utmost support to Belmonte in Cebu City.

Mangaoang, for her part, could not hide her sadness in leaving the Cebu Port, as she narrated her performance while expressing bitterness over the unfair treatment of her so-called "detractors."

"When I came here (from Cagayan de Oro City), I did not ask for this position. I was assigned here on the basis of my performance," Mangaoang said, adding that the Cebu Port, under her administration, performed better than other ports.

Mangaoang also said that she brought the bureau closer to the hearts of the people, streamlined Customs procedures and cut down red tape. - Ramil V. Ayuman and Gregg M. Rubio