Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has urged customs officials nationwide to sustain the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) gains in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and institutional reform during the recent Collectors’ Conference.
Hosted by the Port of Batangas under the leadership of District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan, the conference gathered district collectors and key officials to review performance and discuss key priorities.
In his keynote message, Commissioner Nepomuceno highlighted the BOC’s accomplishments during his first year in office, including improvements in revenue collection, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling efforts, and institutional reforms. He noted that the BOC’s performance has earned recognition from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., stakeholders, and partner agencies.
“We have to sustain this,” the Commissioner said, urging Customs personnel to continue advancing reforms that will make the agency more efficient, competitive, and responsive.
The conference also recognized and awarded intelligence operatives of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) for anti-smuggling operations that resulted in the seizure of billions of pesos worth of illicit cigarettes.
He likewise cited the agency’s intensified anti-smuggling campaign, the formalization of its partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
A highlight of the conference was the recognition of ports that achieved and surpassed their June 2026 collection targets, including the Ports of Manila, Iloilo, NAIA, Cebu, Batangas, Limay, Clark, and the Manila International Container Port.
The Ports of Aparri, Cagayan de Oro, NAIA, Iloilo, and Davao were also awarded for posting increased revenue collections from January to June 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Ports of NAIA, Iloilo, and Clark were recognized for consistently exceeding their monthly collection targets for six consecutive months, from January to June 2026.
In her welcome remarks, District Collector Talusan emphasized the role of Customs personnel as stewards of public trust and contributors to national development. She highlighted the Port of Batangas’ significant contribution to government revenues, generating nearly ₱20 billion monthly, while continuing to advance trade facilitation and border security initiatives.
Concluding the conference, Commissioner Nepomuceno thanked the men and women of the Bureau pf Customs for their dedication and urged them to remain committed to the principles of Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization in delivering quality public service.
