Photo courtesy of BOC
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has started operating dedicated X-ray lanes for overseas Filipino workers at major international gateways to shorten queues and streamline baggage inspection.
The special lanes are now available at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1 and 3 and at Clark International Airport.
The arrangement gives OFWs a separate line for customs inspection and baggage screening while existing customs rules and security procedures remain in effect.
The BOC said the measure was intended to improve passenger flow and reduce waiting times for returning and departing Filipino workers.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the agency plans to expand the dedicated-lane system to other international airports and passenger terminals.
“We recognize the important contribution of our OFWs, hindi lamang sa kanilang mga pamilya kundi pati na rin sa ating bansa,” Nepomuceno said.
He added that the bureau wanted to make customs processing faster and more convenient and eventually bring the service to more international gateways.
The initiative forms part of the BOC’s wider modernization program, which includes the use of technology and revised passenger procedures while maintaining customs enforcement and border controls.
