Something’s jamming up inside the Bureau of Customs–Port of Manila — and it’s not contraband. Two of the port’s main X-ray portals have suddenly conked out, throwing a wrench into the country’s busiest gateway for trade.

But before anyone could cry delay or corruption excuse, Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno and Collector Alexander Gerard Alviar stepped in like crisis commanders on high alert.
Instead of chaos, the port saw quick action. The mobile x-ray unit was immediately rolled out — a stopgap move that kept containers moving and avoided a potential trade chokehold. “Walang titigil. Tuloy ang trabaho,” one Customs insider said, describing Alviar’s fast orders to keep the system alive while repairs are underway.
Sources say Alviar has been working hand-in-hand with the X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP) and technical teams, pressing for a full diagnostic and 24/7 repair cycle. “Hindi puwedeng huminto ang ekonomiya dahil lang sa makina,” an official was overheard saying.
Commissioner Nepomuceno, known for his no-nonsense, no-take leadership, reportedly ordered immediate updates straight from the port floor — making it clear that trade facilitation must not stop, and that security checks must not be compromised.
In a message to stakeholders, the BOC-POM assured that full X-ray operations will be back soon. “We apologize for the inconvenience, but we’re on top of this,” said the port statement — a calm front to what’s clearly a tense technical crisis.
Still, one thing’s for sure: with Nepomuceno and Alviar on deck, the Bureau of Customs isn’t letting a machine glitch undo the momentum of reform.
“No delay. No excuses. No take,” as one insider summed it up.

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