The new customs chief has laid out seven priorities under his leadership which are aligned with the mission order given to him by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said in a statement yesterday.
Acting Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz yesterday formally assumed office as the head of the BOC following the turnover ceremony at the customs head office in Port Area, Manila.
In a speech during the turnover ceremony, Ruiz underscored his seven priority programs: zero tolerance for drug smugglers, curb gun smuggling, eliminate agricultural smuggling, increase revenue generation, fully digitalize Customs processes, increase employee morale and eradicate corruption.
Ruiz took his oath before Marcos at the Malacañang Palace last July 20.
The new customs chief thanked Rey Leonardo Guerrero, outgoing customs commissioner, for implementing the much-needed reformation of the bureau, that is now his duty to continue. Ruiz vowed that he will “carry on the good governance and process reforms that were started.”
Guerrero, for his part, congratulated and welcomed Ruiz who, according to him, is “a public servant with a track record of accomplishments that will surely bring new energy to the Bureau.”
“Being part of the organization for several years now, you have the advantage of hitting the ground running, so to speak, and a familiarity with the ins and outs that will serve you in good stead as you steward our institution towards mission accomplishment,” Guerrero said to the incoming commissioner.
Before his designation as customs chief, Ruiz was the head of the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) of the BOC for almost five years since 2017.
As ESS director, he spearheaded several enforcement projects and handled the operations which contributed to the intensified anti-smuggling campaign of BOC.
The new customs chief also served the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as regional director for seven years in different regions nationwide where he led numerous drug interdiction efforts.
The turnover ceremony was presided by Finance Undersecretary Antonette Tionko.
