The Bureau of Customs (BOC) hosted a study visit on October 28, 2024 to October 30, 2024, for delegates from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and customs officials from Southeast Asia, aimed at bolstering strategies in hazardous waste management. The visit, conducted under the Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP) of the UNODC, took place at the Port of Manila (POM) and the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

MICP District Collector Rizalino Jose C. Torralba and POM District Collector Alexander Gerard E. Alviar welcomed the delegation, sharing each port’s accomplishments and BOC’s ongoing initiatives in ensuring the proper handling of waste and other regulated products.

UNODC Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Thomas Dixon, alongside Technical Expert John Dourlay, reaffirmed the UNODC’s commitment in empowering member states to combat waste trafficking through enhanced technical capacity and cross-border cooperation.

The study visits engaged customs representatives from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, alongside BOC personnel, in a series of focused discussions on best practices in hazardous waste management. Key segments included a firsthand look at seized containers of hazardous waste, a walkthrough of the Customs Operations Center (COC) to observe BOC’s trade security protocols, and an exploration of X-ray inspection technology.

Notable contributions from BOC leaders, Atty. Julito L. Doria, Chief of the COC and Leonito A. Santiago, Assistant Chief of the COC; Atty. Jenny P. Diokno, Chief of the Export Coordination Division; and Atty. Geoffrey De Vera, Deputy Collector for Assessment at the Port of Clark and Overall Coordinator of the Port Control Office (PCO) Philippines, highlighted BOC’s latest initiatives. Discussions covered the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargoes System and other border security measures essential to enhancing the Philippines’ hazardous waste control capabilities.

This visit is a significant component of UNODC’s Hazardous Waste Project, crafted to strengthen customs and law enforcement agencies’ capacity in managing hazardous materials and preventing illegal waste trafficking across borders.

BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio lauded the collaborative effort, stating, “These valuable exchanges pave the way for deeper partnerships and greater impact, supporting global efforts for the safe, responsible management of hazardous materials within the shipping and logistics sectors.”

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