The Bureau of Customs (BOC) commemorated International Customs Day on January 27, 2025, under the theme “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity,” set by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The event recognized partner stakeholders who share the BOC and WCO’s mission to promote international trade efficiency, security, and sustainable growth.

Over the past year, the BOC has strengthened its role as a key trade regulator, advancing efficient and secure customs administration in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision to implement transformative reforms that elevate public service standards.

The agency has reinforced supply chain stability and partnerships, exemplified by the establishment of the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC). In recognition of their contributions, 25 key CICAC members received WCO Certificates of Merit for their excellence, partnership, and commitment to facilitating trade and securing borders.

Among them, CICAC member and industry leader Ms. Olivia Limpe-Aw highlighted the council’s role in strengthening BOC-private sector collaboration, stating, “For the one year that we have been working together, we truly have experienced trade facilitation—we experienced the beauty of having a platform where we can air our concerns in the private sector, and because of that, we are able to really, correctly, and more accurately determine the problems faced. We are also able to come up with more strategic solutions, and of course, we have solved a lot of it. We are able to put it into action, all these strategies and solutions.”

As part of its ongoing cooperation with the WCO, the BOC actively participated in key meetings and capacity-building initiatives, including the 34th WCO Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting and specialized training sessions, such as the WCO Sub-Regional Workshop on Customs Enforcement Network and the WCO Regional Workshop on E-Waste Amendments to the Basel Convention.

In partnership with the WCO, the BOC also conducted the 2nd Customs Integrity Perception Survey (CIPS), which reflected improvements in integrity measures, performance management, and BOC-private sector collaboration.

Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio has been at the forefront of these efforts, steering the BOC towards a modern, transparent, and responsive customs administration. In his message, he emphasized the BOC’s relentless drive for customs modernization and innovation. He stated, “As we celebrate this special occasion, let us avow again our devotion to modernization and innovation. Together, we shall ensure that customs service remains resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking, making way for a better future.”