Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio reaffirmed the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) commitment in cultivating new alliances and fostering enhanced stakeholders’ engagement for a more responsive, adaptive, and resilient customs administration during the commemoration of International Customs Day on January 29, 2024.

In the previous year, the BOC has established strong connections not just with stakeholders but also with other agencies, organizations, and customs counterparts.

To cite a few examples, all 10 Customs Administrations of ASEAN Member States, including the Philippines, signed the Mutual Recognition Arrangement for their Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programs to establish a transparent trading environment.

Additionally, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development’s ASEAN Policy Implementation (API), the Bureau participated in training sessions to capacitate its personnel in the implementation of the ASEAN Customs Declaration Document, which aims to enhance customs practices and develop synergies with other ASEAN member countries.

Likewise, the Bureau joined and hosted numerous events, discussions and assemblies last year, which include: the 34th Meeting of the ASEAN Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation Working Group, the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area Trade Facilitation Cluster, the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Single Window Steering Committee, to further boost international relations, broaden networks, and enhance customs management through knowledge and best practice sharing.

To enhance inter-agency coordination and optimize operational efficiency, the Bureau signed several agreements with other government agencies in 2023, namely: the collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry-Strategic Trade Management Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Postal Corporation, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and Department of Information and Communication Technology.

One of the core projects of the Bureau to be carried out this year is the publication of an operations manual on Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program and other initiatives to increase the participation of stakeholders to support the WCO’s key calls to action.

In line with this, Commissioner Bienvenido Yapo Rubio pledged to remain resolute in advancing BOC’s initiatives in amplifying robust collaborations, saying: “the BOC stands at the forefront of championing economic growth and securing the sustainability of the supply chain. With this, we recognize our immense responsibility to consistently develop and formulate new means in which we can build stronger alliances for a more progressive customs management.”