The Bureau of Customs (BOC) received an award from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) last April 29, 2024, in recognition of the BOC’s steadfast commitment in safeguarding the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) nationwide.

In 2023, member agencies of the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) seized a total of PhP26.9 billion worth of counterfeit and pirated goods, Php25.37 billion of which were made by BOC.

One notable seizure by the BOC was the operation at BOC-Port of Subic on June 14, 2023 involving 1,269 boxes of counterfeit items valued at PhP240 million.

The BOC is committed in continuously combating the proliferation of counterfeit products as manifested by its proactive involvement in IPR conferences and summits, in close collaboration with the business sector, other law enforcement agencies, and international counterparts.

Acknowledging the award from IPOPHL and the efforts of the IPRD under the Intelligence Group, Commissioner Rubio expressed: “I am honored to formally receive the Intellectual Property Citation awarded by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to the Bureau of Customs. I share this award with the Intelligence Group led by Deputy Commissioner Juvymax R. Uy, and all the hardworking individuals who deserve credit. for this outstanding achievement.”