Purpose, policy, and coverage focus
- The Order establishes guidelines to ensure that only bona fide media professionals and bona fide media organizations are allowed entry to the Bureau of Customs to cover events.
- Accreditation controls entry to Bureau of Customs premises for media coverage.
- The rules implement a NO I.D., NO ENTRY framework for access inside Bureau of Customs premises.
- The Order limits media activity to avoid disruption of Bureau operations.
Responsible office and key roles
- The Chief, Public Information and Assistance Division (PIAD) directly approves and revokes accreditation for Bureau of Customs media practitioners.
- The Chief, PIAD submits to the Office of the Commissioner a list of all accredited media practitioners.
- The Office of the Public Information and Assistance Division (PIAD) receives all accreditation applications.
- A Grievance Committee conducts the hearing process for accreditation revocation/cancellation.
Accreditation application requirements
- All accreditation requires a Completed Application Form.
- For partnerships and corporations, accreditation requires a Certified True Copy of Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) Registration, Articles of Partnership/Incorporation, By-Laws, and the latest General Information Sheet.
- For sole proprietorships, accreditation requires a Certified True Copy of Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) Registration.
- Accreditation also requires the following documentary items:
- a Certified True Copy of Mayor’s Permit;
- a Certified True Copy of Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Certificate of Registration;
- a Publisher’s Association of the Philippines, Inc. Certificate of Registration.
- Publication proof requirements include:
- proof that the publication has been in consistently circulation for at least six (6) months; and
- proof of weekly circulation of at least 3,000 copies.
- For reporters/writers/photographers, accreditation requires the following, with submission standards depending on media type:
- a Completed Application Form;
- a Letter of Assignment on the official letterhead of a media organization/publication, signed by the publisher or Editor-in-Chief, stating the name and duration of assignment;
- a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Identification Card.
- For print media representatives:
- two articles published within the past month; and
- a copy of the publication.
- For radio and television representatives:
- two recordings of reports broadcast within the past month.
- For photographers:
- original photographs published within the past month; and
- a copy of the publication.
Accreditation procedure and media ID issuance
- Accreditation applications must be submitted to the Office of the PIAD.
- Within 5 days from submission of complete requirements, the Chief, PIAD issues the Bureau of Customs Identification Card to the accredited media practitioner.
- Bureau of Customs media IDs must always be worn while inside Bureau of Customs premises.
- The NO I.D., NO ENTRY policy is enforced within Bureau of Customs premises.
- Any Bureau of Customs media access that could restrict entry is subject to the Bureau’s designation of restricted areas, with access only upon express permission from concerned authorities.
Ad hoc visitation passes for columnists
- Columnists may be granted a visitation pass to enter Bureau of Customs premises and conduct media rounds whenever necessary.
- Columnists must provide clear documentation showing they are on assignment from a specific news organization or publication.
- Issuance of special visitation passes is handled through the PIAD.
Terms, limits, conduct, and media access controls
- Editorial content of the publication must at all times comply with the Philippine Journalistas Code of Ethics.
- A Bureau of Customs accredited media organization/publication may cover the Customs beat using a maximum of three (3) media professionals.
- Media interviews with Bureau of Customs officials and employees must be pre-arranged with the PIAD to avoid disruption of work.
- Loitering within Bureau of Customs premises without the necessary access pass from PIAD is strictly prohibited.
- Accreditation granted under this Order is non-transferable.
- Information obtained by an accredited media practitioner through accreditation may be used only for bona fide news reporting.
- The Bureau reserves the right to identify areas where media access is restricted so as not to disrupt Bureau operations.
Revocation and cancellation of accreditation
- Accreditation may be revoked/cancelled for any violation of the Order’s guidelines.
- Accreditation may be revoked/cancelled for violation of the Philippine Journalistas Code of Ethics.
- Accreditation may be revoked/cancelled for use of accreditation privileges in transacting with the Bureau of Customs.
- Accreditation may be revoked/cancelled if an accredited media practitioner willfully allows another person to use his/her Bureau of Customs issued ID.
- Accreditation may be revoked/cancelled for other offenses similar to the listed grounds.
- A valid complaint must be filed by any interested party with the Office of the PIAD.
- The Grievance Committee is composed of:
- the Chief, PIAD;
- a Representative from the Legal Service; and
- a representative from the Office of the Commissioner.
- The Committee must set the case for hearing within 5 days from receipt of the complaint.
- After due notice and hearing, the Committee renders a decision based on the evidence presented.
- Notice of the decision is sent to the concerned parties.
- Revocation of accreditation results in confiscation of the accredited practitioner’s Bureau of Customs issued I.D.