MANILA, Philippines (PNA) — Bent on pursuing the instructions of President Benigno S. Aquino III, newly-appointed Bureau of Customs (BoC) Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Danilo Lim vowed to exert all necessary efforts to increase the bureau’s collections and to put an end to the illegal activities including smuggling and corruption within the agency.
In an interview following his formal oathtaking before the President at the President’s Hall of the Malacanang Palace on Thursday, Lim said that he will look into the existing intelligence gathering system of the BoC as he stressed its importance in battling illegal activities.
“Malinaw yung instruction sa atin ni Presidente [Aquino] na tumulong para maitaas ang koleksyon…yung revenue at pangalawa, lahat ng illegal ay pigilin, labanan ang korapsyon, labanan ang smuggling,” Lim said.
“Paano natin gagawin iyan… dapat yung intelligence system and network natin ay effective at maaasahan, so titingnan natin kung talaga bang nagde-deliver itong existing network na ito. Sa intelligence kasi napaka-importante niyan, dahil diyan mag-iipon tayo ng mga impormasyon, data na magagamit natin bilang mga bala para sa laban sa korapsyon at smuggling,” he added.
Lim also noted the concerted action plan that they will undertake in pursuing their duties in the BoC. He said that part of these efforts is to check on the various functions within the bureau to ensure that reforms will be implemented.
“Kailangan talaga ng tulungan dito… papasok kami doon [BoC] bilang isang team na tutugunan yung pangangailangan sa reporma sa Customs, importante na matutukan natin ang mga functions diyan tulad ng brokers’ accreditation, risk management, use of X-ray machines, warehouses and the integration of these functions… we will focus into these things and look for loopholes and weak links, dahil isa lang diyan ang magka-problema, sira na ang buong sistema at network,” Lim said.
Lim was accompanied by his wife, Aloy and daughter Aika. The event was also witnessed by Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr.
Born on June 2, 1955 in Solano Nueva Vizcaya, Lim was the youngest of five brothers of Chinese descent. His roots can be traced to Xiamen, China, formerly Amoy. His father married a Filipina from Bohol.
Lim finished his elementary and high school years in Solano with flying colors. He was in his first year at UP when he took the entrance exams at the Philippine Military Academy. He topped the exams. He was a member of the PMA “Makatarungan” Class of 1978.
While a plebe, he took the entrance exam at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, one of the world’s premier military academies, because of his outstanding performance as cadet. He also topped the exams.