In support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push for enhancement of trade facilitation and improvement of business environment under the “Bagong Pilipinas” vision, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) hosted the official launching of the National Time Release Study (NTRS) on 03 July 2025.
Developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), the NTRS will measure the actual time it takes to clear and release shipments at the port, providing a data-driven approach to identify operational bottlenecks across Customs, trade regulatory agencies, and private sector stakeholders. This study will guide evidence-based reforms aimed at reducing delays, cutting trade costs, and improving transparency and predictability for importers and exporters with regard to the release and clearance process.
By moving goods more efficiently, the country stands to lower storage and logistics expenses, help stabilize market prices, and strengthen investor confidence through a more competitive and resilient supply chain.
The rollout of the NTRS marks the beginning of a coordinated effort among the BOC, trade regulatory government agencies, and private sector stakeholders, with capacity building support from the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme funded by the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
In his remarks, Department of Finance Undersecretary and Philippine Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC) Chair Atty. Charlito Martin R. Mendoza stated that, “The NTRS helps us see what needs fixing; it removes the guesswork; it allows agencies to take concrete, data-driven action. We commend the Bureau of Customs for taking the lead. This is what the PTFC stands for: making fundamental reforms happen not through declarations but through design, not by isolated work but through collective commitment.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Michael C. Fermin of the BOC-Internal Administration Group stressed, “With the transformation of our trade environment comes the imperative not only to move goods faster but also to build a system that is smarter, more transparent, and more responsive to the needs of our stakeholders. Today’s launch is a milestone, as it sends a strong message that we are serious in fulfilling our commitment under the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO-TFA).”
Head of the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Donia Hammami, in her message, highlighted that the Programme supports partner countries in implementing the provisions of the TFA. She underscored that transparency and predictability in border procedures are essential for ensuring smooth trade flows in the global supply and value chain and securing higher revenues.
“It’s not just about the movement of goods—it’s about reliability, investment, and national reputation,” she said. Hammami added, “The TFA is meant to make it easier for companies to trade, and we recognize that in doing so, it will ultimately generate more revenue for the country as trade expands and resources are used more efficiently and effectively.”
NTRS Technical Working Group Head and BOC-Port Operations Service Director Atty. Marlon Fritz Broto also emphasized the importance of the NTRS as a tool for collaborative diagnostic, accountability, and improvement essential to building a faster, more competitive, and more prosperous trading environment for all.
Guided by Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, the BOC will utilize the findings of the NTRS to guide targeted digital reforms, optimize regulatory frameworks, and deepen stakeholder collaboration in support of more efficient trade facilitation.
