Under the leadership and directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intensified its monitoring of oil importations and inventory levels across all ports nationwide.
This proactive measure comes in response to ongoing global developments and geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East that threaten the stability of international oil supply chains.
The conflict, marked by missile attacks on critical infrastructure and the temporary shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, has raised significant concerns regarding potential disruptions to the global movement of petroleum products.
In light of these risks, BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has directed all district ports to closely track oil importation volumes and assess the sufficiency of fuel supplies entering the country.
“Given the current geopolitical developments, it is essential for the Bureau to closely track the movement of oil importations and monitor available inventory levels,” Commissioner Nepomuceno stated. “This will allow us to provide relevant updates to the administration and help ensure that the country remains prepared for any potential supply disruptions.”
To ensure data accuracy and inter-agency coordination, Commissioner Nepomuceno has ordered the creation of the Bureau of Customs Oil Inventory Level (BOC-OIL) Task Force.
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Leadership: Headed by Atty. Allen Dela Cruz, with Atty. Victor Pablo C. Trinidad (BOC Legal Service) as a key member.
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Collaboration: The task force will work in tandem with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
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Mandate: Conduct joint inspections of oil depots, bulk storage terminals, and petroleum facilities nationwide.
Under the new directive, all district ports are required to submit regular reports on oil importations within their jurisdictions. These findings will be consolidated during the agency’s Weekly Collection Meetings to provide a real-time snapshot of incoming shipments and prevailing supply levels.
The BOC-OIL Task Force is authorized to validate these reports through on-site inspections and document reviews. Furthermore, the task force may request material information from industry stakeholders and recommend the issuance of summons to ensure full compliance.
The BOC emphasizes that these measures are vital for maintaining national economic stability and transparency. By providing timely situational updates to the Office of the Commissioner, the Bureau aims to inform policy decisions and operational responses that protect Filipino consumers from global market volatility.
All Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners have been directed to deploy necessary personnel and extend full cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative.
