The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has successfully concluded a crucial internal review to finalize its official inputs for the Philippines’ upcoming 6th World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Policy Review (TPR), scheduled for June 17–19, 2026.
The BOC’s participation underscores the agency’s commitment to ensuring the Philippines’ trade policies are transparent, efficient, and fully compliant with global standards.
Trade Facilitation Focus: Officials from various BOC groups, led by Director III Melon Carlo M. Santiago of the Port Operations Service under the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG), convened to review the current status of trade facilitation measures within the Bureau.
Refining Reforms: The exercise allowed BOC representatives to provide detailed comments and refinements to accurately reflect the progress of ongoing reforms. This is essential for highlighting improvements in areas such as:
Faster Processing: Reducing the time it takes for goods to move through customs.
Reduced Trade Costs: Lowering expenses for traders and businesses.
Predictable Services: Ensuring clear and consistent customs procedures.
Supporting the National Report: The consolidated inputs from the BOC will be forwarded to the Philippine Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC). The PTFC will use this critical information to finalize the Philippine government’s national report for the TPR, a key mechanism that evaluates member countries’ adherence to WTO rules.
“Our active engagement in the WTO Trade Policy Review process is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to national development through trade,” said Director Santiago.
“By meticulously reviewing our procedures and highlighting our progress, we are helping to strengthen the country’s overall trade policy framework, which ultimately leads to enhanced competitiveness and more seamless trade services for the public.”
The BOC’s efforts are part of a continuous drive to modernize customs operations and support a globalized, rules-based trading system, ensuring direct benefits for all stakeholders in the Philippine trade community.
