President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has officially sworn in Ariel F. Nepomuceno as the new Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the government agency at the forefront of the nation’s fight against smuggling and illicit trade. The appointment underscores the administration’s commitment to fortifying border protection and enhancing revenue generation.
Nepomuceno brings a wealth of experience to his new role, with a distinguished career in public service and the private sector. Prior to this appointment, he served as Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Undersecretary of the Office of Civil Defense, demonstrating his capacity for leadership in critical national functions.
As the principal border protection and trade facilitation agency under the Department of Finance, the BOC is crucial in generating revenue, ensuring national security, and promoting economic stability. While its foundational mandate was the collection of duties and taxes, the bureau has evolved into a vital institution dedicated to combating illegal trade, promoting legitimate commerce, and enhancing overall border control.
President Marcos Jr.’s directive to the BOC under Commissioner Nepomuceno is clear: safeguard the country’s borders and ensure transparency and efficiency in revenue collection.
This is not Nepomuceno’s first tenure at the BOC. He previously held significant positions within the agency, including Assistant Commissioner of the Post Clearance Audit Group (December 2017 to April 2018) and Deputy Commissioner of the Enforcement Group (December 2013 to February 2017). His prior experience within the bureau provides him with an intimate understanding of its operations and challenges.
His extensive background also includes serving as Director and CEO of the Office of Civil Defense under the Department of National Defense (December 2012 to March 2013) and as a consultant at the Office of the President in 2003. In the early 2000s, Nepomuceno held executive positions at Food Terminal Inc. and Avalon Pacific Corporation, where he began his career as Vice President for Operations in 1997. Most recently, since 2019, he served as Chairman and CEO of Malayan Pacific Power Holdings Corporation.
Nepomuceno’s diverse and extensive professional background is expected to bolster the BOC’s efforts in fulfilling its critical mandate under the Marcos administration.
