The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Davao officials recently met with its international counterparts in the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) to enhance international trade facilitation and border security efforts.

The BIMP-EAGA meetings, held on November 23–26 in Pontianak, Indonesia, explored the conduct of a Time Release Study (TRS) as part of the priority projects. The data from a TRS can help the Port of Davao improve its processes to comply with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy of improving bureaucratic efficiency.

Members also discussed plans for training on intercepting contraband and drugs for the customs officers of the four countries. A virtual launch of an international network to counter drug trafficking and illicit goods trading are also in the works.

The Port of Davao’s participation in these projects equips its personnel with better tools and knowledge to intercept contraband, helping the Bureau fulfill Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz’s policy on zero tolerance for smuggling and illegal drugs.

In a recent 2022 TRS conducted by the Port of Davao, the typical clearance time at the KTC Container Terminal was shorter by 23 percent — at two (2) days, 31 minutes, 34 seconds — compared to the 2020 Port of Davao average.

In the 2020 BOC study, the clearance of cargoes at the Port of Davao averaged two (2) days, 15 hours, and 37 minutes.#