Another big bike seized by MICP X-ray

The MICP X - ray   Field Office has seized recently  another slightly used Harley Davidson Motorcycle on August 31, 2011 

during  the conduct of X-ray scanning inspection of personal effects shipments arriving at t h e  s a i d port from Middle Eastern Countries.

Based on the report of MICP Field Officer Renato D. Palgan to the XIP Head, Atty. Ma. Lourdes V. Mangaoang, the detection and apprehension of the undeclared motorcycle inside consolidation boxes of personal effects was made possible by vigilant and skilled XIP Inspectors Rielito A. Hernandez and Vincent Anthony G. Guzman who were also responsible in the series of seizures of motorcycles in the past few days. When the shipment passed through the detection arm, the two XIP officers were alarmed by the irregularity of images on the X-ray monitor of the shipment, especially at the innermost portion of the container van. 

As a result of the derogatory X-ray findings, a Warrant of Seizure and Detention has been initiated by  MICP Field Office against the shipment after it was verified during the physical examination made by Customs Examiner Macabayao of the Informal Entry Division, in the presence of the Customs broker’s representative, that suspicious item on the X-ray printout image was indeed a highly valued motorcycle.

Since its full blast scanning operation using six mobile X-ray machines at the new container X-ray facility inside the ICTSI compound, the conduct of X-ray inspection of containerized shipments has been going-on smoothly with a daily average of at least 300 shipments subjected to X-ray inspection, in compliance with the directive of the Commissioner of Customs and the XIP Head to maximize the use of X-ray machines to have faster and efficient conduct of inspection of shipments.

My High School Life

 By anonymous alumnus

Recalling one day of my life in the yesteryears,

Especially during the time when I was a high school student of my alma mater.

Never did I realize that my life was checkered with a feeling of shame, adventures and happiness

Along with this, I can’t forget the times when I had my first adventure of expressing my emotions of   

puppy love to my classmate that made me a laughing stock of our class, my first ever drinking spree that I had with my buddies to explore the pleasant taste of a bottle of wines at a makeshift store at the back of our school that made me felt like crazy at the English Class of our adviser as if the universe was turning upside down and all the girls I met seemed so beautiful and sexy, and my first ever attempt to make a jungle crawl like a CAT trainee under the Main  Building out of curiosity of what were a handful of senior students looking for beneath the holes of Science Room under the cover of darkness and extremely unusual surroundings

Taking some of these shameful experiences at the back of my mind for several decades now, I could sigh with laughter everytime their memories are coming back as though they happened only yesterday

Of course, I would never forget the wonderful moments that brought happiness to my parents and loved ones when my name was included in the top ten of our class and was awarded with medals and honors in the different academics and sports competitions I participated in and most especially when I passed the scholarship grants from various colleges and universities during my senior year that relieved their financial obligation for my collegiate expenses

Pondering all these memorable experiences, both bad and good, for quite some time from the vantage position of what I am now, I could say with pride that all these things have fortified my character and shaped my destiny in life

Although I had numerous shortcomings and even failed expectations, I never had any rancor and bitterness of my high school life because they were part of my boyhood growth and, there is no mistake about it, God even knew that I did the best as I could be with the gifts and talents He has given me in those early formative years

Life is never meant to be always success and triumphs; it must be showered with sorrow and failures so that I can remember fully well the golden memories of my struggle that can never be forgotten for a lifetime…

Giving all my youthful hope and aspirations a backbone of support to rely on with so much energy, passion and strength which were nurtured at the hallowed ground of my alma mater

And as the days, months and years pass by, I shall always look back at my life at BNHS as one of the important events and battles in my life that greatly molded and shaped me into my manhood…

Now perhaps you know who I am as you read the first letter of my lines, but least I forget, this is not just my high school life but could be the life of anyone else of Batch ’83

Comparative Analysis in the Conduct of X-ray Scanning Inspection of Shipments Among the Major Ports of Entry

By : RENATO D. PALGAN

(This is a reprint from the SCANNER Newsletter, 19th Issue, September 2011)

As one of the field officers of the X-ray Inspection Project who have a chance to supervise the conduct of X-ray scanning operation in some major ports of entry in the country, I have had an opportunity to make an assessment and to reminisce and analyze the positive and negative aspects of our operations that I have been entrusted to take the helm of leadership. In my recollection, I sometimes do wonder why one port has a different mode of operation compared with another port. Better still, why do some other ports have some similarities in operation although they have different location in their X-ray facilities. Eventhough the basic tenets and guidelines of our operations lie on the provisions of CMO 6-2007 and CMO 13-2007, there are still some variations in the implementation of said guidelines at the respective ports of entry because of some reasons or another. And to differentiate the idiosyncrasies of our operation, this brief study has been made to give the XIP officers and personnel and the transacting public a bird’s eye view on the system of implementation of X-ray scanning operation in the major ports of entry where I was and am presently assigned.

These are just some of the major differences that I have observed on the operations at the Port of Manila, MICP, and the Port of Cebu X-ray Field Offices:

a.) Volume of Shipments Subject for X-ray

At the Port of Manila, consumption shipments comprise about 90% of the total volume of shipments subject for X-ray, while consumption shipments comprise 60% of the total volume at the MICP and only 50% of the volume X-rayed at the Port of Cebu.

b.) Conduct of X-ray Inspection of Shipments Before or After the Processing of Import Entry

Ideally, a shipment must be X-rayed first before processing of import entry and its relevant documents with the Assessment Division so that X-ray images become a tool to the customs examiners on the assessment of correct duties and taxes of the shipment. However, there are differences among the ports of entry with regards to this aspect. At the Port of Manila, X-ray inspection is made before the final assessment of duties and taxes by the customs examiners and, hence, shipment’s X-ray image result is used as one of their basis in their findings, while at the MICP and the Port of Cebu, X-ray inspection is made after the final assessment of duties and taxes by the customs examiners. Because of this, the most frequently asked question by the customs examiners is this: What will happen to the finished import entry if there are violations found during X-ray inspection? Well, the normal and obvious response to this question is that if the shipment is subject for physical examination, they could be held liable if they released the shipment although there are misdeclared items not found by them during physical examination.

c.) Conduct of X-ray Inspection Before or After the Release of Shipments by the Port Operator

Just like the conduct of X-ray inspection before the processing of import entry at the Assessment Division which is ideally the prescribed mode being contemplated under the spirit of CMO 6-2007, it must also be made before the shipment is released from the port operator so that there will be no risk that the shipment will be released without being scanned. With this, another glaring difference can be observed among the major ports. X-ray inspection is made before the release of shipment by the Asian Terminal Incorporated at the Port of Manila and by the OPASCOR at the Port of Cebu, while at the MICP, X-ray inspection is made after the release of shipment by the ICTSI.

d.) Primary Import Documents Submitted for X-ray Inspection

 It is noteworthy to mention that only photocopies of import entries and its supporting documents are submitted to the X-ray Field Offices at the Port of Manila, MICP, and Port of Cebu. However, one distinct feature at the MICP is that it requires the submission of the original Import Entry’s Green Copy to the MICP Field Office for stamping of “Subject for X-ray” in compliance with the memorandum of the District Collector of Customs issued in 2007. And it must be emphasized however that photocopies of documents are not reliable source of data of shipments in the absence of original copies of documents because of their tendency to be easily falsified by unscrupulous brokers and importers. Thus, it would be ideal if the field offices are linked with the E2M System of the MISTG so that pertinent facts about the X-rayed shipments can be easily ascertained as to their veracity and truthfulness.

e. Releasing Documents as Proof that Shipments Have Been Cleared/Released by the XIP

Among the three X-ray field offices, the Port of Manila has the safest and sophisticated way of releasing shipments subject for X-ray because it requires the lifting of X-ray flag on the computer system for electronically tagged shipments for X-ray as well as the submission of photocopies of duly accomplished X-ray printout copy to the Pier and Inspection Division (PID) as another proof of release of shipments by the XIP. At the MICP, the PID requires the submission of photocopies of duly accomplished X-ray printout copy with the stamped “Cleared” on it, while at the Port of Cebu, it is the gate pass of the arrastre operator with stamped “Released” by the XIP that is being required by the PID.

Basing on the foregoing discussions, in order to have an ideal set-up of X-ray scanning operation, I believe that the following conditions should be implemented by the customs top management to have an efficient and effective conduct of X-ray scanning operations:

1. To strengthen up the X-ray Scanning procedures, there must be standardized X-ray scanning procedures in all field offices so that the best scanning practice will be applied to all ports. Although certain ports of entry have peculiarities as to the nature of shipments arriving as well as on the location of X-ray facilities, perhaps it is for the best interest of all port stakeholders that certain basic principles and rules should be applied to all especially as to when X-ray inspection shall be made.

2. The Online Release System (OLRS) of the BOC must include shipments subject for X-ray so that X-rayed shipment must be electronically released by the XIP in the system without using a separate computer system by the arrastre operator as in the case of POM. With this set-up, shipments subject for X-ray especially those with multiple containers can never be released without first undergoing X-ray inspection.

3. There must be a rational application of risk assessment of shipments subject for X-ray inspection by having a regular dialogue or an XIP representative with the RMO to obtain a proper criteria for selectivity system so that only high risk shipments are tagged for X-ray inspection.

4. There must be guidelines in the conduct of X-ray inspection for export shipments.

5. All field offices must be connected electronically with the E2M system to have access of import data of shipment subject for X-ray inspection. Since import documents submitted to the field offices by the brokers are merely photocopies, it is necessary to check the veracity of such documents through the E2M system data.

6. Considering that most shipments tainted with fraud are committed on consumption shipments, it is therefore logical that 20 % of the total volume of consumption shipments arriving daily at the port of entry be tagged for X-ray and only 10 % of the transshipment, informal, reefer shipments and other so-called mandatory shipments for X-ray be subjected to X-ray inspection so that risk assessment will also be applied to them for X-ray inspection.

Radiation Safety Seminar in Malaysia: Its Implication to the XIP’s Radiation Safety Program and Policies

By Renato D. Palgan

(This is a reprint from the SCANNER Newsletter, 19th Issue, September 2011)

The sixth International Symposium on Radiation Safety and Detection Technology (ISORD-6) held in Langkawi, Malaysia last July 12 - 14, 2011 was an international gathering of radiation safety experts and practitioners held every two years in the Asia Pacific Region to discuss the latest trends, developments and issues covering a wide array of topics about radiation, such as radiation transport, radiation protection philosophy, radiological issues, etc. And this year’s symposium, which was organized by the Malaysian Radiation Protection Association, was eventually divided into seven different sessions to finish them in a very short span of time, with a special session on the accident of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan. All these concerns were discussed in less than a hundred scientific papers which were presented by different nationalities from Japan, Korea, China and Malaysia but what caught me with special interest was the paper presented by Norah Alih of Malaysia entitled, “International Standards for Radiation Protection”, because it has direct relevance to the on-going XIP ISO certification process at the POM X-ray Field Office.

According to the author, in her analysis of the various standards, rules and regulations involving radiation safety made by the different regulating agencies like International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Commission on Radiation Protection, the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements, and even the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it is inevitable that to have a mandatory compliance by all, these standards should be publicized in order to give guidance and ensure proper implementation by the government and private sectors. And from among the sets of safety standards established by the international regulating bodies, there is also a need to harmonize the field of radiation safety and complement ISO/IEC 17024 for the promotion of radiation safety infrastructure through competent personnel. With the end view of professionalization and standardization of radiation safety workers, there is also a need to have a certification system among radiation safety personnel to test and demonstrate their qualification and competence to carry out the tasks in a specific workplace. By harmonizing the certification process, a safety culture will be developed and this will enhance manpower development. 

Its relevance to the XIP

Basing on the author’s arguments for the strict adherence to the international safety standards on radiation, the Port of Manila and MICP Field Offices of the X-ray Inspection Project have put up their own respective radiation safety rules and regulations which are suitable to their own respective X-ray facilities, and these  are  in  addition  to the existing

Radiation  Safety  Manual  which is promulgated and published by the XIP in accordance with the radiation safety standards issued by the Department of Health, which is the regulating agency with regards to X-ray radiation.

 Some of these provisions are similar to both X-ray facilities at the said ports. These provisions include, among others, that only X-ray personnel and authorized visitors are allowed inside the X-ray facility, the wearing of personal radiation monitoring devices at all times during the X-ray personnel tour of duty, X-ray inspectors shall always make an audio warning that X-ray is about to emit to warn people on the site before X-ray scanning of cargoes, all truck drivers shall wait at the designated drivers truck holding area during X-ray inspection, X-ray personnel must wear the prescribed uniform while on duty to distinguish them from the transacting public, and X-ray personnel must immediately press any of the emergency stop button whenever there are emergencies occur. Again, these are just some of the radiation safety guidelines implemented at the X-ray facility and there are still other guidelines implemented inherent with the specifications of the mobile X-ray machine as well as the proper distances within the X-ray facility itself that need not be discussed here for space limitation.

With these radiation safety guidelines earlier mentioned which are all approved by the Department of Health and in congruence with the radiation safety rules and regulation by the international regulating bodies, it is therefore relevant to the ongoing ISO Certification process of XIP’s work and procedures especially at the Port of Manila Field Office because it is a good indication that our work system is in line with the international best practices and standards on X-ray scanning operation. Thus, it would be another crowning glory if once the ISO certification of personnel has already been implemented that only qualified and competent personnel are allowed to be assigned in the XIP and do the work 

of X-ray scanning of cargoes. With the ISO certification of XIP personnel, it would surely promote professionalism and the XIP’s outlook towards manpower development would become proactive since ISO Certification necitates to have continuous improvement of skills and competence of X-ray personnel performing a sensitive and technical work in X-ray scanning operation for it is a basic requirement in ISO Certification of radiation workers like the XIP personnel.

Thank you, Ma’am Tatit

Thank you, Ma’am Tatit

(In celebration of the Teacher’s Month this September, I offer this simple and humble poem of mine to my most beloved teacher in high school who had greatly influenced and molded my views, outlook and values as I walk on in this struggle called “life”. Her name is Ms. Tarcisia Mahinay and she is fondly called “Tatit” by her peers but she is more than what her name stands for. If anybody of you knows her and her whereabouts, please inform her that she has a poem from me… Thank you.)

Thank you for the tears you shed before in one of our classes that reminded me always to be

responsible in all my actions and deeds so that I won’t harm other feelings and emotions because there are always vexations in one’s spirit that I might become pain and bitter as I walk through life and which I knew was my first lesson in human relations which is to act, behave and deal with others with respect and self-discipline that ultimately made me right now as one of the respected personalities in my workplace and community for the simple reason that I am at peace with my soul…

Thank you for the attention you called upon me when I was told to report to your faculty room

to discuss with me my frequent absences due to a number of extracurricular activities I was involved with, and I know pretty well that you were concerned that my non-academics campus activities would affect my studies and I was touched by your parenthood advice by not discouraging me to pursue my personal interests but merely informed me to have time management with my academics subjects and to be always the best in the activities I was involved with, and that advice has forever rang in my thought all throughout the years by setting my time wisely in all the things I have to do and to be the best in whatever fields, profession, vocation and in whatever capacity that I am entrusted to do…

Thank you for the praise and public approval that you gave me as I volunteered to read my first

ever English composition before the class, of which I knew deep in my heart I was so afraid to do for I might made known to my classmates of my limitation and weaknesses as a student in English Subject, but never did I realize that your positive comments were all implanted into my mind that from the time on grew like a molave tree, which is strong and a fully developed skill that even made me to write some handbooks and other literary pieces because I made it a point to keep on reading and writing every vacant time I have had and to participate in every discussion that I might come across with other people and that’s all because of the simple seed of approval that you gave me that I am now harvesting the fruits of my efforts and sacrifices by having a bigger responsibilities in my work and by attending international conferences and gathering as a delegate of my agency and our country, and…

Thank you for the sweet and wonderful lessons that you had shared with me in my four years as

my teacher and mentor of which you had inculcated me important and priceless lessons in life that I will forever treasure and grateful, but I am so sorry to say thank you just now because of my carefree attitude in my youthful years… and the shining moments of these lessons have now dawned on me as they became the foundations of what I am now today and Thank you, Mam Tatit, for being one of the greatest teachers I ever had in my life…

Misdeclared Machinery seized by MICP X-ray

           After a series of seizures made in the past several days involving several shipments containing misdeclared items, the MICP Field Office has once again seized another yet two units of machineries of magnetic separator and magnetic assembly last August 13 after a shipment of 1x40’ Container Van No. WSDU 4912716, declared to contain household wares, consigned to Rosvie Enterprises, was x-rayed by XIP Inspector Ryan Veloso and found to contain suspicious and misdeclared items on the X-ray monitor.

            Based on the report of MICP Field Officer and  concurrent Luzon Area Supervisor Renato D. Palgan to XIP Head Atty. Ma. Lourdes V. Mangaoang, the said shipment arrived at the MICP on August 7, 2011 from China on board sea vessel M/V Sinotrans Shenzhen, with Registry No. SIT0029, and, after the filing of import entry and was classified as Red X-ray in the Selectivity System, it was subjected to X-ray Inspection by the MICP Field Office to verify the true contents of the shipment. And when XIP Inspector Veloso made an image analysis on the innermost portion of the container van, he found out some irregularities depicting machineries which were not declared on the import documents, and the shipment has become even more suspicious when it was found on the X-ray monitor that the declared items were used as concealment near the door of the container van so that spot-checking by the customs examiner cannot identify the misdeclared items inside.

            As a resullt of the X-ray findings, an alert order was issued by the Office of the Commissioner and a 100 percent physical examination was conducted against the shipment that confirmed the X-ray findings.

  Magnetic separator machine seized by the MICP Field Office recently      

Forklift Machines naispatan ng MICP X-ray Office

        NABIGO ANG tangkang palusot ng isang kompanya nang maispatan ng mga matang-agila ng mga tauhan ng Manila International Container Port (MICP) X-ray Field Office and dalawang unit ng forklift machines at iba pang makinarya noong Hulyo 29 na patotoo na talagang totohanan ang kontra ismagling na kampanya ni XIP Head Atty. Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang.

          Sa report ni Renato D. Palgan, MICP Field Officer and concurrent Luzon Area Supervisor, ang hindi idineklarang forklift machines at iba pang kagamitan ay kasama sa kargo ng 4x40’ container vans mula sa China (Import Entry No. 115863).

          Idineklara na pawang gamit sa bahay at iba pang hardware na nakapangalan sa Aldero Enterprises.

          Sa image analysis na ginawa nina XIP Inspectors Rielito A. Hernandez at Vincent Anthony G. Guzman natuklasan ang tangkang pagpapalusot sa dalawang forklift machines, kaya agad na inalerto ng Office of the Commissioner.

          Nag-isyu agad ang OCOM ng alert order laban sa kargamento ng Aldero na mahaharap sa kasong ismagling.

FORKLIFT MACHINES

INDUSTRIAL MACHINERIES

MICP X-ray detects another Motorcycle

           In another show of their expertise in conducting X-ray inspection of containerized cargo that is truly imbued in their works and profession, the MICP X-ray Field Office has recently detected another unit of undeclared motorcycle hidden inside several balikbayan boxes as a result of its intensified anti-smuggling campaign in compliance with the directive of XIP Head Atty. Ma. Lourdes V. Mangaoang. This is the second time that an apprehension was made involving motorcycle after all informal shipments were required to undergo 100 percent X-ray scanning.

           

            According to XIP Head Atty. Ma. Lourdes V. Mangaoang, the smuggled used motorcycle of Honda Super Sports 250cc, with Chassis No. MC-15-1015406, was part and parcel of a forty-footer shipment with Container Van. No. EISU 9136106, declared as personal effects and household goods, consigned to DXL International, which arrived at the MICP on June 25, 2011, from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. After the filing of import entry by the customs broker, the said shipment was subjected to X-ray inspection on July 8 by X-ray Inspector Vincent Anthony G. Guzman. However, during X-ray image analysis of the said shipment it showed that there was undeclared item that looks like motorcycle which was maliciously hidden on the farthest portion of the container van that eventually led to the conduct of physical examination to ascertain the findings of X-ray image, and it was discovered during the spot-checking conducted by the assigned customs examiners of the Informal Entry Division that the suspected item was indeed a fully-assembled motorcycle. As a result, Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued against the shipment by the MICP District Collector of Customs.

            Atty. Mangaoang added that the latest apprehension of motorcycle inside a consolidation shipment showed once again the effectiveness and efficiency in the conduct of X-ray inspection of containerized cargo using the state-of-the-art X-ray machine, as it was already proven in the XIP past apprehensions.

            The XIP Head likewise commended the officers and men of the MICP Field Office headed by Field Officer Renato D. Palgan for a job well done.

The prized catch of one unit of high-end motorcycle during the intensified anti-smuggling campaign waged by the officers and men of the MICP Field Office.

Field Inspection of Customs X-ray Facilities

         To ensure that X-ray scanning inspection of containerized cargoes are carried out in accordance with the Customs rules and regulations and in compliance with the Customs Radiation Safety Manual as well as to ensure that the directives of the XIP Head are fully implemented, MICP Field Officer and concurrent Luzon Area Supervisor Renato D. Palgan has conducted an ocular inspection last week on the container X-ray facilities at the Port of Subic in Zambales and the Port of Clark in Pampanga.

            The inspection was also made to check the on-going construction of X-ray facility at the said ports to ensure that radiation safety requirements and specifications are met.

            “ Considering that more than half of the total 30 container X-ray scanning machines of the Bureau of Customs are deployed at the major ports of entry in Luzon Area it is an imperative that these state-of-the-art equipment are fully utilized by our operatives with utmost efficiency and effectiveness in our anti-smuggling campaign”, Palgan said.

            The Port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port (MICP) have a combined 13 container X-ray machines while the Port of Subic and Port of Clark have 2 machines each respectively.

MICP Field Officer and concurrent Luzon Area Supervisor Renato D. Palgan (at left), with Port of Subic Field Officer Filemon Obejas (at right), inspects the on-going construction of the Port of Subic Satellite Office located at the New Container Terminal Road, ICTSI, inside the Subic Free Port in Olongapo City.

With XIP Inspector Paul Jorda, Luzon Area Supervisor Renato Palgan makes an on-site visit at one of the mobile container X-ray machines at the Port of Clark in Pampanga.

3 X-ray Personnel attend training in Malaysia

                   To update their expertise and knowledge on the latest issues and trends on radiation safety, three personnel of the X-ray Inspection Project of the Bureau of Customs, namely, Radiation Safety Officer Renato D. Palgan, Field Officer Pedro Irineo D. Gutierrez, and POM X-ray Inspector John Mar Morales, have attended recently an international seminar on radiation safety in Langkawi, Malaysia, last July 12-14, 2011.

            Entitled “6^th International Symposium on Radiation Safety and Detection Technology”, the international gathering was aimed to address the latest issues and concerns among radiation safety experts, professionals, and practitioners on wide array of topics such as radiation transport and shielding, radiation dosimetry, radiation detection and sensor technology, environmental radiation measurement and assessment, radiological risk management, radiation protection philosophy, and radiation education and training.

            According to Radiation Safety Officer Renato D. Palgan, “the topics and issues raised during the seminar were very timely considering the awareness, doubts, and skepticisms of the world on the hazardous effects of radiation as what happened to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant incident in Japan. The sharing of information among radiation safety experts and practitioners certainly gave us fresh and relevant knowledge on how we can still improve our radiation safety procedures in our own X-ray facilities and in handling of cargo found to contain regulated radioactive substance during our X-ray scanning operation. And we are indeed very grateful to the BOC Commissioner Angelito A. Alvarez and the XIP Head Atty. Ma. Lourdes V. Mangaoang for making radiation safety as one of their primary concerns in our X-ray facilities’ operational matters”.

It may be recalled that the Bureau of Customs has acquired thirty container X-ray machines from China as part of its modernization program in the conduct of examination of cargo. These machines were deployed in the major ports of entry in the country and all of them were duly licensed by the Department of Health (DOH) to be used and operated by the BOC after they had passed the stringent requirements and tests conducted by the DOH personnel as part of its regulatory function in the use of linear accelerator-sourced of radiation.

The BOC delegates to the Sixth International Symposium on Radiation Safety and Detection Technology held in Langkawi, Malaysia on July 12-14, 2011, pose for a picture of posterity in front of Awana Porto Malai Hotel. Left to right: POM X-ray Inspector John Mar Morales, POM Field Officer Pedro Irineo D. Gutierrez, and XIP Radiation Safety Officer Renato D. Palgan.

MICP X-ray seizes Motorcycles

          The MICP X-ray Field Office has recently detected two units of motorcycles of various brand and make hidden inside several balikbayan boxes as part of its intensified X-ray scanning operation on Informal Entry Shipments in connection with the recent developments which were publicized in the national newspapers that high-end motorcycles were smuggled into the country especially at the southern ports using allegedly balikbayan boxes.

           

            Based on the report submitted by MICP Field Officer and concurrent Luzon Area Supervisor Renato D. Palgan to XIP Head Atty. Ma. Lourdes V. Mangaoang, CEO VI, the smuggled used motorcycles were part and parcel of forty-footer shipment with Container Van. No. MSKU 1192217, declared as personal effects and household goods, consigned to Francisco Adriano et. al. / Ocean Star Freight Express, which arrived at MICP on June 2, 2011 from Hawaii. After the filing of import entry, the said shipment was subjected to X-ray inspection on June 9, 2011 by X-ray Inspector Felicito A. Acero in compliance with the memorandum of the Commissioner of Customs last May 30, 2011. However, during the image analysis of the shipment it showed that some suspicious undeclared items were maliciously hidden inside the inner portion of the container van that led to further verification of the shipment using the manual type of examination to ascertain the findings of X-ray printout copy. And it was discovered during the spot-checking conducted by the assigned customs examiners of the Informal Entry Division in the presence of the representatives from the customs brokerage firm and the XIP that the suspected items included one unit of fully assembled motorcycle and one unit disassembled (chop-chop) motorcycle placed inside several packages of balikbayan boxes, thus, the entire shipment was subjected to a hold order for a 100 percent physical examination.

            According to Renato D. Palgan, the latest apprehension of motorcycles inside a consolidation shipment shows the effectiveness and efficiency of non-intrusive inspection of container cargo using the X-ray scanner, unlike opening the container van and removing and inspecting all the almost 300 balikbayan boxes one by one and then returning them back to the container van which is both unrealistic and time-consuming considering that there are several hundreds consolidation shipments arriving daily from abroad.

MICP X-ray Facility to open soon

          With modern and fully furnished Satellite Office as well as an accessible spot-checking ramp exclusively for X-rayed shipments with suspicious items, located just beside its office, the new spacious MICP Container X-ray Facility which can accommodate six container X-ray machines that can be operational all at the same time will soon open anytime this month.

            The new X-ray facility, which is located inside the ICTSI Compound near the West Gate, covers approximately 8,000 square meters in total land area with parking space for container trucks that are subject for X-ray inspection.

            According to MICP Field Officer and Concurrent Luzon Area Supervisor, the new X-ray facility has been a result of the combine initiative and efforts of the leadership of the X-ray Inspection Project Head, Atty. Ma. Lourdes V. Mangaoang, CEO VI, and the MICP District Collector Engr. Ricardo R. Belmonte, CESO V, as well as through the painstaking negotiations made by the previous administration of MICP Field Officer Pedro Irineo D. Gutierrez and his men with the ICTSI Management.

“With the completion of many infrastructures needed for a decent container X-ray facility to operate which is comparable with any world-class container X-ray facility like the POM Field Office and after the approval for transfer from the Department of Health which is the regulatory agency of linear accelerator sources of radiation, then we can move to a much better facility anytime soon”, Palgan said.

The integrated X-ray facility that houses the container X-ray machines, a Satellite Office and a spot-checking ramp for truck-mounted examination of shipments with suspicious items, all conforms with the international best standards and practices in non-intrusive examination of cargoes. The MICP X-ray Field Office operates six days a week from Monday to Saturday and with business hours from 8:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the morning the following day. At present, it X-rayed an average of 200-250 container vans daily and it is expected to scan a bigger volume of containerized shipments with the opening of new container X-ray facility this month. And all its container X-ray machines are duly licensed with the Department of Health, which shows that they are all tested and safe for the use in cargo examination.

                                                                  

The New MICP Container X-ray Facility that can accommodate six container x-ray machines that can be operational all at the same time is now ready for full blast operation.     

The round the clock ongoing construction of Satellite Office, which is fully equipped with office furnishings and latest equipment is said to be the most modern x-ray satellite office not only in the country but also in the Asia Pacific Region.

The spot-checking ramp exclusive for x-rayed shipments located just beside the Satellite Office is accessible to the Customs examiners and brokers and can serve three containerized shipments for physical examination all at the same time.

BOCXOA awards winners of 3rd Chess Tourney

                    The 3^rd BOCXOA Chess Tournament has pushed its final checkmate move last June 7, 2011 in a simple yet memorable ceremony attended by the officers and members of the sponsoring organizations at the POM Field Office Lounge, with trophies and cash prizes were given to the top five winners, namely: Lorenzo Rupeta (champion), Raymond Linsangan (1^st runner-up), Loren Tabilog (2^nd runner-up), Joaquin Cagadas (3^rd runner-up) and Dante Frago (4^th runner-up).

            The tournament, which was jointly sponsored by the Bureau of Customs X-ray Operators Association, Inc., the Customs Gray Knights Brotherhood, Inc. and the BOC Chess Club, Inc., was held at the Social Room of the MICP Collection District during  the whole month of May using a Swiss type of competition participated in by more than thirty chess enthusiasts and players representating, Customs officials and employees, Customs brokers, and other port stakeholders.

           

            Meanwhile, the 1^st POM Field Office Tournament also concluded last May 11, 2011 with the following winners: Ernesto Loteyro (Champion, Dart), Randy Teniente (Champion, Table Tennis), Dante Padilla (Champion, Chess), and Mariecon Nolasco (Champion, Sing-along). The tournament in various fields of events was made to strengthen the camaraderie and to develop a healthy mind and body among the officers and personnel in the X-ray Inspection Project.

 The 1^st XIP POM Office Tournament Winners. The winners of the 1^st XIP-POM Office Tournament pose for a picture of posterity. Shown on the picture are MICP Field Officer and concurrent Luzon Area Supervisor Renato Palgan, Dante Padilla (Chess, Champion), Ernesto Loteyro (Dart Champion), Randy Teniente (Table Tennis Champion), Mariecon Nolasco (Sing-along Champion) and Asst. Chief-of-Staff Atty. Danilo Campos, Jr.

The 3^rd BOCXOA Chess Tourney Winners with the BOCXOA Prexy and the guest speaker of the ceremony. Standing left to right: BOCXOA President and BOXCOA Multi-Purpose Cooperative Chairman Renato Palgan, 1^st Runner-up Raymond Linsangan, Champion Lorenzo Rupeta, 4^th Runner-up Joaquin Cagadas, 5^th Runner-up Dante Frago, 2^nd Runner-up Loren Tabilog and Asst. Chief-of-Staff Atty. Danilo Campos, Jr.

Radiation Safety Experts inspect POM X-ray Facility

The danger of having nuclear radioactive materials contaminated shipments entering the country as a result of a nuclear facility disaster in Fukushima, Japan has underscored the importance of high-tech detection equipment of the Bureau of Customs like the container x-ray machines, which has a built-in radioactive monitoring system, to calm down the concerns of the local consumers.

            This develop as group of radiation safety experts coming from the Department of Health and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, headed by Ma. Gladys R. Cabrera of the Bureau of Health and Devices Technology and Estrella Caseria of the Radiation Protection Service, respectively, has inspected just recently last April 15, 2011 the radiation monitoring system of the customs container x-ray machines of their capabilities to detect nuclear radioactive materials inside containerized shipments.

            According to POM Field Officer and concurrent BOC Radiation Safety Officer Renato Palgan, the regular inspection was made after Atty. Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang, the Head of X-ray Inspection Project, wrote a letter to the Director of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute to assess the standards of the radiation monitoring devices of the BOC to ensure that radioactive-contaminated shipments are apprehended at the port of entries before they are release by Customs officers.

              Palgan added, “although initial findings showed that the machines can indeed detect the radioactive sample sources brought by the radiation safety experts, we still have to wait for their formal scientific report that would be submitted to us soon by them and it was observed during the test that the system alarms every time a radioactive substance passes through the detector.”

He further added that as a safety measures for its personnel, the X-ray Inspection Project has been provided by the PNRI with a radiation film badge and Thermo-luminescent Device (TLD) to gauge their respective radiation dose.

Aside from radioactive substance, the x-ray machines have also detected drugs, explosives and other dangerous chemicals in the past and instrumental in the collection for payment of additional duties and taxes of highly dutiable shipments after x-ray scanning inspection.

Radiation Safety Experts from the Department of Health and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute inspect the customs container x-ray machines at the Port of Manila on April 15,2011 to check their capabilities to detect radioactive materials inside containerized shipments especially those coming from Fukushima, Japan, which experienced lately a worst nuclear waste disaster, from entering into the country. Shown from left to right are POM Field Officer and Customs Radiation Safety Officer Renato D. Palgan, Ma. Teresa A. Salabit of PNRI, Vincent Dalin of DOH, Radiation Protection Service Head Estrella Caseria of PNRI, Bureau of Health and Devices Technology Head Ma. Gladys R. Cabrera of DOH, Eileen Hernandez of PNRI, Ronald Piquero of PNRI, Kristine Marie Romallosa of PNRI, Julie Cruz of DOH, X-ray Inspector Romel Enriquez and X-ray Inspector Sevilliano Pelayo, both from Bureau of Customs.

BOCXOA to hold 3rd BOC Chess Tourney

As part of its continuing tradition to promote camaraderie and goodwill among customs officials, employees, brokers and other port stakeholders, the Bureau of Customs X-ray Operators Association, Inc. (BOCXOA), in cooperation with the Customs Grayknights Brotherhood, Inc. and the Bureau of Customs Chess Club, Inc., will sponsor a chess tournament from April 25 to May 20, 2011 which will be held at the MICP Law Division Office. The tournament will be its third since the organization started holding the annual affair in 2009.

BOCXOA President and BOCXOA Multi-Purpose Cooperative Chairman Renato Palgan said that the chess tournament is a regular sport fest of the association as part of its program in promoting the well-being among the customs personnel especially the ranks of customs x-ray operators.

“We choose the chess tournament from among other sports events simply because playing chess is like developing the image analysis skills of our x-ray inspectors wherein you must have a good grasp of mental images of shipments for you to detect any misdeclaration and anomaly inside the shipment, just like having a keen analysis of your opponent’s next moves to win a chess game. And in both cases, all your brain faculties must be functioning extremely well to become a winner in a chess game and a top caliber, world-class x-ray inspector on image analysis,” Palgan said on the holding of annual chess tournament.

He likewise invited all chess enthusiasts in the customs community to participate by registering at the POM X-ray Field Office or the MICP Law Division.

The BOCXOA is an association of technically-trained customs officials and personnel on how to properly operate the x-ray machines and they are duly recognized by the Department of Health, which is the regulatory agency in the use of linear accelerator source of radiation, while the Customs Grayknights Brotherhood, Inc. is a social organization of former cadets and graduates of the Philippine Military Academy who are working with the Bureau of Customs.

Officers of the sponsoring organizations of the upcoming 3^rd BOCXOA Chess Tournament which will start on April 25, 2011 pose for a picture of posterity at the office of POM Field Officer Renato D. Palgan. Left to right: Bambi Purisima, publisher of the Manila Sun Newspaper; Julius Mates (PMA Class ’95), Secretary-General of the Customs Grayknights Brotherhood, Inc.; Renato Palgan (PMA Class ’88), President of the Bureau of Customs X-ray Operators Association, Inc. (BOCXOA) and the Customs Grayknights Brotherhood, Inc.; and Atty. Manuel Relorcasa, Chief of the MICP Law Division and the Chairman of the Customs Chess Club, Inc. The BOCXOA Chess Tournament, which is an annual sport event in the Bureau of Customs, participated in by chess enthusiasts among customs officers and personnel and other port stakeholders, is also supported by the Customs Chess Club and the Customs Grayknights Brotherhood, an organization of former cadets and alumni of the Philippine Military Academy who are working with the Bureau of Customs. 

Japan Budget Officials visit POM X-ray Facility

         To learn about the best practices in the conduct of non-intrusive container inspection of shipments in the Bureau of Customs, officials of the Japan Ministry of Finance and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, headed by Mr. Sumiya Shibasaki, have recently visited and made an ocular observation on the actual x-ray scanning operation at the Port of Manila X-ray Facility on March 3, 2011. They were assisted by POM X-ray Field Officer Renato Palgan.

            Before proceeding to the POM X-ray Facility, the visiting Japanese officials made a courtesy call on Field Officer Renato Palgan and expressed the desire of their agencies to provide technical assistance to the Customs X-ray Inspection Project to effectively and efficiently accomplish its mandate especially on detecting shipments containing contraband and anti-social goods.

            As a gesture of gratitude to their offered services and goodwill, Field Officer Renato Palgan thanked the visiting officials and expressed his reciprocal support to whatever programs and working cooperation they will offer to the Bureau of Customs for the efficient and effective use of container x-ray scanners and handed to them several copies of Customs x-ray manuals as token of gratitude for their support.

Japan Budget and JICA Officials, headed by Sumiya Shibasaki (second from right) and Takashi Uchino (first from left) make a courtesy call on Port of Manila Field Officer Renato Palgan (third from right) at the latter’s office on March 3 before proceeding to the Port of Manila X-ray Facility to observe the best scanning practices of shipments in the Philippines.