The Bureau of Customs (BOC) hosted the physical Joint Validation for the Philippines under the ASEAN Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AAMRA) negotiations at the Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI) in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, on December 14-15.
ASEAN Member-States from Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, and Myanmar attended the meeting.
The Interim AEO Office and the CCBPI conducted a site walk-through with the ASEAN delegates to showcase the validation procedure conducted by the Philippines for the accreditation of its AEO companies, such as the CCBPI. Among the criteria validated are the supply chain management, premises, and cargo and conveyance security of CCBPI.
The AEO Program is a partnership program pursued globally by most Customs administrations to secure and facilitate trade by providing incentives to traders with improved supply chain security.
Through the ASEAN AEO MRA, the BOC will be able to adhere more closely to the Customs-to-Customs pillar of the World Customs Organization SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade.
Also, AEO members will enjoy reduced intervention for imports and exports from the partner countries of the Philippines.
Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said these initiatives are consistent with the region’s dedication to improving government service delivery, securing trade, and realizing the ASEAN’s end goal of economic integration.
“I hope everyone here is as proud as I am as we are finally advancing our collaborative partnership and bolstering our international commitments to facilitate trade and investment in ASEAN,” he added.
The new BOC AEO office was inaugurated on December 19 to institutionalize and further improve the services of the AEO Philippines.
During the inauguration ceremony, Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation and Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. were added to the roster of AEO Members with the awarding of their AEO Level 1 Accreditation.
AEO Level 1 members will be entitled to exemption from renewal of accreditation; self-assessment; filing of supplementary goods declaration; and access to a dedicated help desk.
Ambassador Huang Xilian and Minister Counsellor Yang Guoliang from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, Director Kwon Taehue from the Korea AEO Association, Hannah Faith Montana and Lee Yoonyoung from the Korea International Cooperation Agency and Mitsuo Suzuki from the Japan International Cooperation Agency graced the event.
Senator Cynthia Villar, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Assistant Secretary Dakila Elteen Napao, Ruiz, and other BOC officials were also present.
In his message, Diokno said that the effective implementation of this program sends a strong signal to the business community and international partners that the Philippines is open for business.
“I trust the BOC to onboard as many companies to the AEO Program, as well as to work with partner countries for the signing of the Mutual Recognition Agreement”, he added.
Following the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the BOC remains steadfast in its mission of enhancing trade facilitation while advancing its ties with its international partners in the pursuit of its vision of becoming a customs administration that is among the world’s best. #
