CSC cites MICP for anti-red tape efforts

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs’ Manila International Container Port (MICP) was given an “excellent” rating on an anti-red tape survey conducted last month by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

The MICP, headed by district collector Ricardo Belmonte, obtained a 90.03 grade on the CSC’s anti-red tape act report card, the survey for which was conducted from Aug. 12 to 14.

The MICP’s performance improved 11 months after the CSC’s Oct. 1 to 3, 2012 survey, where it obtained a final descriptive rating of “failed.”

The MICP passed all the criteria involving compliance with the anti-red tape law’s provisions, such as a citizen’s charter, an anti-fixer campaign, employees wearing identification cards or nameplates, no hidden costs in transactions, a public assistance and complaint desk, and no lunch breaks.

It also passed the “overall client satisfaction” criterion, which includes frontline service, service quality, physical setup, basic facilities and respondent client satisfaction. 

All the respondents in the survey said “they saw anti-fixer campaign materials in the form of posters, and no one reported to have been approached by fixers to facilitate transaction for them. The researcher observed that fixers can no longer penetrate the office premises because of the strict security provided by the customs police,” the CSC said.

The CSC, however, recommended that while the MICP put up its citizen’s charter posters in conspicuous areas, “efforts be made in enhancing” the poster “to entice more clients to read it.”