Customs get help to improve hiring

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs has partnered with the Civil Service Commission in developing a special prequalifying examination for those who want to apply for a job at the BOC.

Customs Commissioner John Sevilla said the partnership is part of the bureau’s goal of transforming and bolstering its hiring and selection process.

“We are positive that we will be able to put into fruition processes that will ensure that all future BOC employees are competent, professional and ethical public servants,” Sevilla said.

The new selection process will be used to process over 1,000 job vacancies opened by the BOC to fill up different vacant plantilla positions at its main office, as well as its various collection districts throughout the country.

With the partnership, the CSC, through its Examination, Recruitment, and Placement Office will provide overall management and supervision of the test processes, as well as the development and conduct of the CSC-BOC pre-qualifying tests for supervisory and non-supervisory positions.

The tests, which consist of General Aptitude and Ethics-Oriented Personality Tests, are customized for BOC job applicants.

Sevilla added that they want to make sure that the bureau’s employees are hired not because they have backers or have endorsements but because of their merit and their physical ability to work.

“We also won’t tolerate nepotism, which can be a cause of corruption, that is why we will not entertain applicants who have relatives in the Bureau up to the 4th degree of consanguinity,” Sevilla said.

With the new hiring process, all applicants shall be initially screened by personnel selection boards composed of deputy commissioners, service directors and district collectors.

 Applicants who pass the initial screening will then take the GAT and EOPT to be administered by the CSC. Applicants who pass these tests will move on to the second screening, which consist of a competency-based exam and panel interview. Physical examination will also be conducted for applicants for positions in the Intelligence and Enforcement groups.

This CSC-BOC pre-qualifying tests is in line with the Revised Guidelines and Procedure in the Hiring and promotion of Personnel for First and Second Level Positions under Customs Memorandum Order 15-2014.

The said CMO aims to simplify the guidelines, widen the sphere of selection, as well as clarify the procedure for applicant screening to get the best qualified applicants. (FREEMAN)