Qualified Bureau of Customs (BoC) officials and employees can look forward to a generous cash bonus this year. According to Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, the Revenue Performance Evaluation Board (RPEB) has approved the allocation and distribution of awards and incentives to eligible customs officials and employees. The amount of the bonus will vary based on the employee’s salary grade, with estimates ranging from P166,000 to P385,000.
This bonus is a result of the agency’s impressive revenue collection performance in 2018, as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 9335, also known as the “Attrition Act of 2005.” The Act provides a system of rewards and penalties for officials and employees of revenue-generating government agencies, including the BoC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Enacted in 2005, the Attrition Act aims to optimize the collection capabilities of these agencies by incentivizing officials and employees to exceed their assigned revenue targets. Those who surpass their targets are rewarded, while those who fall short may face sanctions or even termination from service.
Commissioner Rubio expressed his hope that the bonuses will be released soon so that BoC employees can enjoy the fruits of their labor during the Christmas season. He emphasized that the implementation of the Attrition Act reflects a genuine recognition of the hard work and dedication of public servants, fostering a culture of motivation within the Bureau.
With over 4,000 employees in the BoC, not all will be eligible to receive the rewards and incentives. The allocation, distribution, and release of the bonuses will be determined by the RPEB, which is composed of the Secretary of Finance as the chairman, the Secretaries of Budget and Management, and the National Economic and Development Authority as voting members. Representatives from the BoC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue serve as non-voting members.
Under the rules and regulations of the RPEB, the bonuses will be prescribed. The Attrition Act also outlines the consequences for continuous non-performance, including transfer and termination from service for revenue officials and employees who consistently fail to meet their collection targets.
The BoC’s impressive revenue collection performance in 2018 highlights the dedication and commitment of its employees. The agency collected P585.542 billion in customs taxes and duties, exceeding its P584.88 billion target. Fourteen out of seventeen customs ports across the country surpassed their annual collection targets, contributing to this success.
For example, the Port of Batangas exceeded its target with total revenue of P142.12 billion, while the Port of Limay achieved revenues of P40.714 billion, surpassing its collection goal by 11.9 percent. The Port of Cebu also performed well, with revenue of P28.904 billion.
The bonuses and incentives provided under the Attrition Act not only recognize the hard work of BoC employees but also motivate them to consistently achieve and surpass their targets. This dedication ultimately benefits the organization and the entire country as a whole.
As the BoC prepares to release the bonuses, employees can anticipate a well-deserved reward for their efforts in contributing to the agency’s revenue collection, trade facilitation, and border protection mandates. The incentives provided by the Attrition Act serve as a key element in fostering a culture of excellence within the Bureau.
Overall, the allocation of bonuses and incentives to BoC officials and employees reflects the government’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding the dedication of public servants. It also encourages a culture of motivation and excellence, ensuring the consistent realization of revenue collection targets and the overall growth of the country.
Source: The Manila Times
