The Bureau of Customs (BOC), led by Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, reinforced its strategic commitment to trade facilitation and operational excellence during a high-level engagement with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) recently. The productive meeting solidifies the collaborative approach needed to modernize customs processes and enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines.
The discussion highlighted the BOC’s aggressive push toward expanded digitalization, the streamlining of operational procedures, and the resolution of persistent trade challenges. These efforts directly support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s national directive to elevate government service delivery and establish a more competitive trade environment.
PCCI officials, led by President Eunina V. Mangio, presented several key recommendations that complement the BOC’s modernization roadmap. These industry-focused inputs centered on strategies for reducing port congestion, improving vital cross-agency coordination, and providing clearer, more actionable guidance materials for importers and exporters nationwide. The parties also underscored the necessity of robust communication channels and the full activation of joint technical working groups to support data-driven policy adjustments and targeted structural reforms.
Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized the foundational principles guiding the Bureau’s transformation. “Our reform initiatives are fundamentally grounded in accountability, transparency, and strong collaboration with our industry partners,” he stated. “Active engagement from stakeholders helps ensure trade operations remain faster, more efficient, and more predictable, reflecting the shared responsibility of fostering a competitive and business-friendly trade environment.”
The BOC and PCCI concluded the session with a mutual commitment to continue joint efforts, ensuring that ongoing modernization initiatives translate into tangible benefits for the business sector and the Philippine economy.
