The specialized training in customs laboratory processes was joined by the BOC team, led by Atty. Yasser Ismail A. Abbas, CESO IV, Director III of the Imports and Assessment Service (IAS). It was hosted by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Korea International Cooperation Services (KOICS), Korean Central Customs Laboratory (KCCL), and Korea Customs Service (KCS).

This event marked the second phase of KOICA’s multi-year Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) fellowship program. The program’s key objectives were to enhance bilateral collaboration, strengthen knowledge sharing between South Korea and the Philippines, and provide valuable insights into constructing, operating, and managing a sustainable PCL, with a focus on revising the Project Concept Paper (PCP).

During the training, the delegation embarked on field study visits to strategic customs offices in South Korea. These included the Korean Customs Central Laboratory and Scientific Service, a World Customs Organization-Regional Customs Laboratory, the Busan Regional Customs housing a Local Customs Laboratory (LCL), and the Busan Customs Container Cargo Inspection Center.

The delegation gained firsthand experience in the use of customs laboratory equipment, operational guidelines, and staffing structures. The experts from KCCL and KCS Laboratory actively shared their expertise and addressed the delegation’s queries.

A special session was dedicated to understanding and preparing a comprehensive PCP, a critical component for attracting both local and international development assistance.

The re-establishment of the Philippines Customs Laboratory promises multiple benefits, including more accurate tariff classification analysis, improved revenue collection, enhanced border security against illicit trade, and heightened public health safety through the identification of harmful chemicals and substances.