Championing the modernization of customs practices and the advancement of global trade, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) actively participated in the World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Forum on Origin Interconnectivity held on 3-4 February 2025 at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

The high-level gathering, funded by the Korea Customs Service and the European Union (EU) under the EU-WCO Programme for Rules of Origin in Africa, convened customs leaders, trade experts, and policymakers to shape the future of origin interconnectivity. The event featured discussions in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, underscoring its global importance.

Representing the BOC at this forum were Deputy Commissioner Ronnel B. Hombre of the Management Information Systems and Technology Group, Atty. Ferdinand Pauig, Chief of the Port Operations and Coordination Division, and Mr. Jonathan T. Soriano, Chief of Systems Management Division. Their participation reinforced the BOC’s leadership in adopting forward-thinking trade facilitation measures and aligning the Philippines with international best practices.

At the heart of the forum was an in-depth examination of “Interconnectivity”—a game-changing approach to strengthening the efficiency and transparency of origin procedures. Over two days, discussions centered on the legal and compliance frameworks governing cross-border data exchange, the optimization of the Business Process Model for origin certification, the integration of electronic Certificates of Origin within the WCO Data Model, and the technological advancements driving seamless interconnectivity among customs authorities.

A key highlight was the presentation of the WCO’s Feasibility Study on the Interconnectivity Framework for the Certificate of Origin, conducted in collaboration with the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin. The study provided a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory landscape, digital transformation strategies, and operational frameworks required to establish a globally harmonized system for origin certification.

The forum served as a platform for BOC to engage with international counterparts, including representatives from Customs administrations, regional economic organizations, global trade institutions, and academic experts. These high-level exchanges strengthened international cooperation on origin interconnectivity and trade facilitation, reinforcing the Philippines’ active role in shaping next-generation customs practices which resonates with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to harness innovations in digitalization to provide better services to Filipinos.

Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said that the BOC remains committed to advancing the modernization of trade procedures, supporting initiatives that simplify customs processes, enhance transparency, and strengthen the Philippines’ position in the global trade arena.

“Through active participation in international forums, the BOC continues to contribute to the ongoing transformation of global trade by embracing innovation, collaboration, and adopting forward-thinking strategies.”