Trade reform advocates feted on International Customs Day

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) celebrated International Customs Day by recognizing industry leaders and stakeholders advancing trade facilitation and customs modernization.

In recognition of their contributions, 25 members of the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) received World Customs Organization (WCO) Certificates of Merit.

Among them was Olivia Limpe-Aw, chairman and CEO of Destileria Limtuaco. “For the one year we worked together, we truly experienced trade facilitation. This platform allows us to accurately determine challenges and develop strategic solutions,” she said.

The establishment of CICAC has been a major milestone, fostering collaboration between the BOC and private sector leaders to streamline trade processes and address industry concerns.

BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to innovation, urging continued efforts in customs modernization.

“Let us avow again our devotion to innovation. Together, we shall ensure customs service remains resilient and forward-looking,” he said.

Beyond CICAC, the BOC has reinforced customs administration through participation in key WCO initiatives, including regional meetings and specialized training on border security and environmental compliance.

The agency also conducted the 2nd Customs Integrity Perception Survey, reflecting improved transparency and governance.

These reforms align with President Marcos broader agenda for public service transformation, ensuring that customs operations remain efficient, secure and supportive of economic growth.

With such partnerships, the BOC was able to collect P850 billion in revenues from January to November last year. This was 4.7 percent higher than the P812 billion revenues collected a year ago.