Following the rigid assessment made on the overall level of implementation of the management system of the Bureau of Customs-Port of NAIA, the said Port is now ready to move forward to achieve its Stage 2 Certification Audit.

The Port of NAIA, headed by District Collector Mimel Talusan, underwent the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) External Audit Stage 1 conducted by an External Auditor from TUV-SUD, a leading provider of management systems solutions, for its application of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Certification on July 21, 2021.

The Stage 1 audit was conducted to evaluate the Port of NAIA’s management system documented information, site-specific conditions, to check if the objectives and key performance indicators and significant aspects are in place and understood.

The auditor also reviewed the scope of the management system and obtained information on the processes and operations, the equipment and tools being used, the levels of control that have been established, as well as any applicable statutory or regulatory requirements.

During the Stage 2, the external audit will determine the degree of compliance with the standard’s requirements and report any non-conformances or potential non-conformances that the port will have to comply before the certification can be issued.

Talusan presented the ISO Preparedness of the Port of NAIA including the innovations and achievements contributing to the overall implementation and performance of the port.

She also led the Port of NAIA team during the external audit and evaluation of the port at the Conference Room in BOC-NAIA Customshouse.

Also in attendance at that time were the Port of NAIA top management and Interim Internal Quality Management System Office (IIQMSO) audit team during the whole day assessment.

As always, Talusan assured that the Bureau of Customs under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero and the Port of NAIA will continue to promote professionalism and transparency and provide better customs services to all its internal and external stakeholders as part of Guerrero’s ten-Point Priority Program 2021 for the Bureau of Customs.

At the rate the said Port is performing despite the pandemic, it is expected to clinch its desired ISO in no time, just like the way Talusan hits the bullseye during shooting competitions from which she had garnered countless trophies. Way to go, BOC-NAIA!!

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Finally, the House of Representatives is said to have included the proposed Bureau of Immigration Modernization Act as one of the top priorities for its third and final regular session.

In a statement, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente thanked members of the Congress, particularly House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, for naming the proposed immigration law as one of the five important measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

Apart from the BI law, among those reportedly named are Creating the Philippine Virology Institute Act, The Center for Disease Control Act, Amendments to the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016, and the National Housing Development act.

For the BI, the new law is very timely as it will modernize border control. Besides, the prevailing law is a very old law, which was created in the 1940s. Many of the provisions do not apply in current times and the new law will reorganize the structure of the BI, specify responsibilities, define visa categories, put in safeguards for checks and balances, and improve the salaries of our men.

The new law, which BI oldtimers see as the solution for current BI woes, also seeks to confer to the Commissioner disciplinary authority over its personnel. Quick and swift disciplinary action is needed to deter wrongdoings amongst its ranks.

As far as I remember, the proposal for a new immigration law that would be in keeping with the times was first pushed hard by then Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, during the time of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

It’s been that long and it’s way overdue. Will it finally be done? Let’s wait and see….

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Jokjok (from Emily Galang of Pasong Tamo, Makati City )— PEDRO: Pare, mag-aaasawa ka na daw? Alamin mo muna ang advantage at disadvantage ng may-asawa/JUAN: Bakit, ano ba mga ‘yun?/PEDRO: Ang advantage pare, pag kailangan mo, nandiyan agad/JUAN: Eh ‘yung disadvantage?/PEDRO: Pag ayaw mo na, andiyan pa rin!!

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