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5 ‘furloughed’ Customs officers reinstated, get course refresher
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Posted on May 18 2020
Five “furloughed” Customs officers on Rota were reinstated to their posts following a visit by Customs officers from Saipan last week.
The officers then underwent a refresher course last May 11, conducted by Customs team leader, officer James Santos, on tax provisions, including calculations and harmonized system, an overview of common errors found on declarations of entry, as well as other matters related to Customs operations.
According to Customs planner and public information officer Reina Camacho, Customs director Jose C. Mafnas raised concern over increased vulnerability of border security soon after learning about the five Rota Customs officers being furloughed. He sent four Saipan officers to Rota to assist the officers with Customs operations. “I hope that everyone in the community is cognizant of the vital role Customs play in border security. One vulnerable port, whether it is Saipan, Tinian, or Rota, can immediately negatively impact the CNMI,” Mafnas said. “The Division of Customs Service protects our island borders through the facilitation of trade and travel, collection of revenue/taxes, and seizing prohibited items imported to and exported from the Northern Mariana Islands.”
In an interview, Sen. Teresita Santos (Ind-Rota) expressed appreciation to the Department of Finance, Division of Customs Service, for their support of Rota. “We would like to express our congratulations to all our Rota Customs personnel for successfully completing their trainings,” Santos said. “On behalf of the people and leaders of Rota, this is to convey our acknowledgment and recognition to our Secretary of Finance Dave Atalig and Customs director Joe Mafnas for providing our Rota customs personnel the opportunity to undergo a three-day customs refresher course training on Rota led by our Saipan Customs team leader.”
The senator added that Mafnas was joined by four Saipan Customs officers “to carry out the duties and responsibilities at the ports of entry on Rota while our Rota Customs personnel were on training.”
