The Board of Investments (BOI) has become the newest member of the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC), further reinforcing the government’s commitment to streamline trade and promote investment-led growth.
Its membership was formalized during a meeting between the BOI and the Bureau of Customs-Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP) on May 2, 2025.
The meeting, held at the MICP Office in Port Area Manila, was attended by key officials including BOC-MICP District Collector Rizalino Torralba, BOI Investments Assistance Center Executive Director Atty. Bobby Fondevilla, BOI Investments Assistance Service Director Ernesto Delos Reyes, Jr., and other key representatives from both agencies.
BOI Executive Director Bobby Fondevilla expressed gratitude to the BOC for officially welcoming the BOI as new partner at the CICAC district level. “This partnership underscores our shared efforts in addressing challenges faced by investors, particularly importers, and promoting long-term, sustainable economic growth,” he said.
As an active partner in the Investment Facilitation Network (INFA-Net), BOI Director Delos Reyes acknowledged MICP’s consistent support in facilitating and resolving investor issues of BOI-registered firms, highlighting the value of the INFA-Net forum as a mechanism for inter-agency coordination.
District Collector Torralba echoed the importance of stakeholder engagement, emphasizing that open communication with stakeholders and industry partners is crucial for ensuring sustainable economic development. He added that CICAC provides an effective avenue for transparent and collaborative partnerships for continued growth and success.
CICAC is a consultative body comprised of various stakeholders from government agencies, industry groups, and businesses, established to address existing and potential issues related to customs and industry matters.
In September 2024, BOI and MICP previously collaborated on the facilitation of issues of the automotive industry. To date, BOC-MICP has over 40 active CICAC members. MICP will endorse BOI’s membership to the National CICAC level, expanding the agency’s reach.
This partnership reflects BOI’s steadfast support for government’s unified approach to enhancing the ease of doing business in the Philippines and positioning the country as a competitive investment destination in the region.
