The Bureau of Customs, under the direction of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, has attained impressive achievements through its X-ray Inspection Project (XIP), making a substantial step towards improving border control and protecting national security.
Under the direction of Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy, the XIP, a key division of the Bureau's Intelligence Group, has continuously shown its dedication to protecting the country by diligently monitoring and conducting non-intrusive inspections of goods entering ports across the country.
From January to August 2023, the BOC's unwavering efforts prevented and stopped countless attempts at smuggling, resulting in the remarkable capture of illegal substances valued at more than P1.161 billion.
The 107 operational X-ray machines of various varieties that have been strategically placed around the country's ports, sub-ports, and airports are at the vanguard of this spectacular success. Utilizing these tools has been crucial in locating hidden contraband within shipments without the need for intrusive searches, supporting both effective trade procedures and strong security measures.
The BOC said that in the past two weeks, XIP has successfully foiled over P18.5 million worth of illegal drugs and intercepted 'misdeclared' goods in several ports.
Furthermore, the unit advocates real-time information exchange among all ports to thwart smuggling attempts, offering full support for the "Remote Image Analysis Centre (RIAC) Project," a pivotal step in modernizing and enhancing the efficiency of the Bureau of Customs' border protection.
With a well-defined strategy for the XIP that centers on bolstering border control and enhancing national security by leveraging technology and automation, the functions of the XIP offices will be fully optimized.
Under BOC Collector Carmelita Talusan's direction and with the unwavering support and guidance of Commissioner Rubio and Deputy Commissioner Uy, the Bureau of Customs continues to relentlessly pursue excellence. The X-ray Inspection Project is a testament to the organization's dedication to innovation, vigilance, and the highest standards of service.