The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) announced the successful exchange of the electronic Phytosanitary (e-Phyto) certificate between the Philippines and Indonesia through the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) regional platform during the 67th Meeting of the Working Group on Technical Matters for the ASW (TWG). The meeting was held via hybrid platform from June 10-13, 2024, at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The four-day meeting was attended by representatives from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Finance. It was chaired by Dr. Ramlah Mukhtar, Deputy Director of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.

As reported by ASEAN, the Philippines had started exchanging the e-Phyto certificate with Indonesia on 10 June 2024 using the BOC Electronic Phytosanitary (e-Phyto) Management Portal. The BOC e-Phyto Portal also has access to the e-Phyto certificates issued by Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry, the country’s official National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), as well as to e-Phyto certificates issued by the respective NPPOs of exporting countries.

Thailand targeted to start the exchange with the Philippines by the end of June 2024.

Under the leadership of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, the BOC will continuously collaborate with ASEAN counterparts to support its priority program on conducting the Study of the New Generation of the ASW, including the implementation of the ATIGA e-Form D, the ASEAN Customs Declaration Document, the Generic Customs Response, and exchanges with Dialogue Partners. As Commissioner Rubio emphasized, “This initiative not only enhances trade efficiency but also strengthens economic ties among member states, paving the way for a more unified and prosperous ASEAN region.”