Bureau of Customs officials, through the Interim Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Office, participated in a two-day Writeshop for the drafting of the AEO Operations Manual on September 6-7 at F1 Hotel Manila, Taguig.

The drafting of the manual is in line with the efforts of the Bureau to improve the AEO organizational structure, set up information-sharing mechanisms in discussing Mutual Recognition Arrangements, and institutionalize validation, screening, and evaluation trainings for the AEO officials.

The International Trade Center (ITC) through the ARISE Plus Philippines Project, and the BOC Project Team for Strengthened Trade Facilitation Capacity Building as the focal point agency for Output 4 of the Project: “Strengthened trade facilitation capacity to implement the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)” assisted in the activity to define the day-to-day operation and management of the BOC AEO program.

During the Writeshop, Mr. Dennis C. Pantastico, ITC AEO National Expert, discussed the recommendations identified in the Year 1 assessment report on the Philippine AEO Program, including the national practices, challenges, and opportunities towards an efficient and dynamic AEO Program in the Philippines.

A breakout session was conducted to help support the three core units of the BOC AEO Office namely Accreditation Unit, Post Validation Unit, and the Mutual Recognition, Statistical and Records Management Unit to detail the procedures of each unit, create its communication plan, and discuss benefits and strategies to fully implement the AEO Program.

BOC AEO assessors also shared their experiences and learnings from a series of on-site AEO Joint Validation activities under the ASEAN AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AAMRA) conducted in Indonesia from July 5-6, Thailand from August 8-9, and Malaysia from August 17-18.

In his closing remarks, Commissioner Yogi Filemon L. Ruiz emphasized that, ”the AEO Program, which was introduced by the WCO, is a key driver for a solid Customs-to-Business Partnership and a secure, transparent, and predictable trading environment. It offers an opportunity for us to share our security responsibilities with the private sector, while at the same time providing them with a competitive advantage through additional facilitation benefits.”