The Bureau of Customs (BOC), led by Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, successfully hosted the 3rd Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) General Assembly and celebrated its 1st Founding Anniversary on March 14, 2025. The event focused on advancing key initiatives, improving customs operations, refining trade processes, and strengthening collaboration between the government and the private sector.

Since its launch in February 2024, CICAC has held three general assembly meetings and nine Central CICAC meetings. In its first year, membership grew to 59 organizations under the Central CICAC and 122 active organizations in local district CICACs.

Hosted by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, President of FFCCCII, remarked, “I see this as a good sign that our industries are unifying and strongly coming together in partnership with the government, particularly the Bureau of Customs. This anniversary is not only a reflection of the work we have done over the past year but also a testament to the commitment and dedication of all those involved in CICAC’s establishment and success.”

During the meeting, the BOC provided updates on ongoing initiatives, including proposed amendments to customs regulations aimed at streamlining cargo logistics processes. These initiatives are part of CICAC’s continued drive to improve efficiency and address challenges within the trade and logistics sectors.

Reflecting on the past year, Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio highlighted the Bureau of Customs’ significant progress in achieving its goals. Notably, the successful launch of the ATA Carnet System in July 2024, introduced in collaboration with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, simplified the temporary admission of goods into customs territory. CICAC also engaged private stakeholders and Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs) in collaborative efforts to reduce trade costs and improve cargo clearance efficiency. Moreover, CICAC worked diligently with customs offices nationwide to address and resolve specific stakeholder concerns more efficiently.

The meeting also introduced newly elected industry leaders who reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with the BOC to enhance trade compliance and streamline customs procedures.

In closing, Commissioner Rubio emphasized the importance of industry collaboration, stating, “The associations here today represent hundreds of companies, thousands of individuals, and diverse sectors. It is our duty to make sure that the decisions we make here are felt at the grassroots level — that is the only time we can truly say we have made a difference in the lives of the people we serve.”