Customs chief to Faeldon: Be ready for 24/7

Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said he wished his successor, former Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, the best of everything,  telling him to “be ready for a 24-hour job.”

He said the Bureau of Customs (BOC) would soon come out with the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the recently signed Customs and Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) that provide tax exemption of up to P150,000 for balikbayan boxes sent home by overseas Filipino workers.

“We need to finish the IRR for the CMTA before our term ends so we can shepherd our successor for its proper execution,” Lina said in an interview with reporters on Wednesday.

Lina said he does not personally know Faeldon but assured him of full cooperation during the transition period.

“The President-elect has made a choice, we will respect it and we welcome it,” said Lina.

Physically, mentally ready

Lina, however, advised his successor that since “this is a 24-hour job, he should be ready both physically and mentally.”

He said the primary task of the BOC is to raise revenues and the policy measures will be given during the transition period.

“We are giving it to him. The advice is there (on how) we can  accomplish the budget for the people,” said Lina.

Lina said officials of the Department of Finance and its attached agencies, such as the BOC, would meet next week  with the transition team to discuss the programs and the accomplishments of the agency./rga