MANILA -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has hired 31 new personnel in a bid to reduce workload and promote efficiency among its employees.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, during the regular flag-raising ceremony on Monday, led the oath-taking of the new personnel composed of seven lawyers and 24 Customs operation officers (COO I) who have successfully hurdled the stringent hiring process of the Bureau's Customs Personnel Selection Board (CPSB). They will be assigned to various ports and offices.
Lapeña said the bureau would prioritize contractual personnel in filling up vacant plantilla positions in the agency.
"Being the appointing authority, I will give priority to our contractual employees. We will first promote and hire those people who have long been working with the BOC," he said in a statement.
Lapeña ordered the hiring of additional entry-level positions for the first quarter of the year to address the bureau’s limited manpower.
However, he said, applicants must be qualified for the position and pass the selection process of the CPSB before they are hired.
"I expect you to do the service the public is expecting from you. Finish all the tasks to improve our process time," Lapeña said.
The CPSB has finished the interview of the BOC personnel for promotion on Jan. 18 and 19. (PNA)
