BOC plans to merge 2 Bataan ports

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) plans to merge its two Bataan-based ports –Limay and Bataan –to cut down on operational costs.

BOC Commissioner Ruffy Biazon and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima have been discussing the possibility of combining various ports.

The BOC’s legal division is studying the possible merger of the two Bataan ports, which could materialize as early as next month.

Biazon said the two ports could be merged to streamline its personnel and cut down on operational cost and the accountability for both ports. “We might only need one district collector,” he said.

He said they are also looking at the operations of other ports. “If the operation is too little it would be more cost effective for us to close them down and leave (its operations) to the neighboring district offices,” he said.

He said the deactivation of some ports would have minimal effect on the BOC’s collection.

Biazon said they are also considering the closure of ports that are being used for smuggling.