New Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ruffino Rozzano Biazon has committed to fully support the drive against sugar smuggling and revamp BOC port collectors in time, National Federation of Sugarcane Planters president Enrique Rojas said yesterday.

Sugar Regulatory Administrator Ma. Regina Bautista Martin, along with sugar industry leaders, met with Biazon at his office in Manila Monday.

“The sugar group briefed the commissioner on the cooperation between the two agencies, especially  on the need for BOC to require SRA clearance prior to issuing release of imported sugar and premixes,” Martin said.

Other concerns of the industry were also presented to which the Commissioner assured the group of his support and cooperation, she said.
The commissioner took note of the sugar industry  concerns and promised to work on them, Martin added.

Rojas said that with Biazon’s commitment to help, “We expect to minimize, if not eradicate sugar smuggling.”

“In due time, he (Biazon) told me he will revamp customs port collectors in major ports, particularly those with past records in smuggling,” Rojas added.
Biazon also said he will closely coordinate with the  Sugar Anti Smuggling Organization in its anti-smuggling drive, he said.
“However, we must give him some time because he is still feeling his way around,” Rojas added.

Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines, said Biazon wascordial, attentive, frank  and helpful at the meeting.
“He is also a good politician, let’s see what happens,” Lamata said.

Lamata said the Philippine Sugar Alliance presented to Biazon the concerns of the industry and, “The ball is in his court.”*CPG

by CARLA GOMEZ