In support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to promote trade facilitation, digitalization, and regional cooperation, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio represented the Philippines at the 26th World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations (RHCA) Conference held in Hong Kong, China, from May 18 to 22, 2025.

The BOC, through Commissioner Rubio, reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with neighboring countries to make trade faster, safer, and more efficient — a move that benefits not just businesses but also ordinary Filipinos who rely on imported goods and secure borders.

Joining Commissioner Rubio were Collector Rechilda T. Oquias and key BOC officials who showcased the Philippines’ efforts in modernizing customs processes, fighting smuggling, and strengthening partnerships with the private sector. They shared the country’s best practices in digital transformation and border enforcement, which aim to make doing business easier and to build stronger protection against illegal trade.

The high-level discussions brought together customs leaders from across the Asia Pacific region to tackle major issues such as e-commerce, trade security, regional cooperation, and technology-driven customs solutions. It also marked the formal welcome of newly appointed customs heads from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Macao, and Maldives. Regional entities focused on capacity building, intelligence, and private sector engagement reported their achievements and relevant progress over the past year.

Primary outcomes of the conference included the reaffirmation of the region’s commitment to the WCO Strategic Plan 2022–2025 and the formation of the Regional Strategic Plan Working Group for 2024–2026.

Commissioner Rubio actively joined discussions and highlighted the Philippines’ contributions to regional customs initiatives. He reaffirmed the country’s participation in the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB A/P), which provides training and support to strengthen the skills and capabilities of customs officers across the Asia Pacific. He also emphasized continued cooperation with the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO A/P) through the Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) — a platform that enables customs authorities to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to stop smuggling and other illegal cross-border activities. These efforts help keep trade secure and protect consumers from harmful and counterfeit products.

Additionally, the Philippines shared the successful establishment of the Customs Industry Consultative Advisory Council (CICAC), which is first in BOC’s history under the leadership of Commissioner Rubio. The council is aimed at fostering deeper collaboration between government and stakeholders.

The active participation of Commissioner Rubio and the alignment of the BOC’s 5-Point Priority Programs with regional strategies reflect the Philippines’ strong commitment to building a future-ready customs system that supports national growth, protects public welfare, and makes the country a more reliable and competitive trading partner in the region.

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