Customs tackles Korean problems at Clark airport

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By Ashley Manabat

ANGELES CITY – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has started looking into the problems of Koreans disembarking from the Clark International Airport (CIA).

This came in the wake of the investigation ordered by Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina during his visit to Clark on July 7.

On Friday, BOC Deputy Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno held a preliminary meeting with some of the Korean complainants as well as the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) led by its chair, Ruperto Cruz, at the Ciocolo Restaurant here to thresh out some of the problems.

Nepomuceno, head of the BOC Enforcement Group, said he was tasked by Lina to personally look into the problems of the Koreans.

Nepomuceno agreed to attend a general assembly of Korean groups and associations to find out what can be done to address all their problems.

However, Nepomuceno did not commit to fully resolve the issues but he promised to do something about some of the problems. He said his appointment is co-terminus with that of President Aquino and that means he has less than a year to resolve the issues.

Nepomuceno said the BOC will try to institute remedies to address the Koreans’ immediate concerns.

Some of the reforms that were already made include the hiring of permanent Korean interpreters at the CIA arrival area to cross the language barrier especially for first time travelers.

The putting up of big tarpaulin guidelines in English and Korean languages at the arrival area to help arriving passengers what to do and the setting up of CCTV cameras inside the BOC office at the arrival area has also been done.

Nepomuceno said Customs personnel that will be assigned to Clark will undergo seminar and briefing on protocol andsensitivity issues.

For his part, Cruz said the move of the BOC to address the Korean problems at the CIA is a welcome development.

Earlier, Koreans complained of some Customs personnel extortingand harassing Korean tourists and expatriates arriving at the CIA.

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