BOC STRIDES GLOBAL STAGE WITH INCREASING CONFIDENCE

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) continues its strides in the global stage with increasing confidence on its ongoing reform program under the leadership of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno.

At a roundtable discussion organized by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) of the Philippines, Commissioner Nepomuceno headed the agency delegation in highlighting its continuing efforts to modernize customs operations, strengthen trade facilitation, and improve engagement with the business community.

In his presentation, Commissioner Nepomuceno highlighted the Bureau’s ongoing reforms focused on full digital transformation, organizational restructuring, and enhanced stakeholder engagement.

Nepomuceno also detailed the merits of the Customs Processing System (CPS) and their adoption of advanced technologies to streamline customs processes, strengthen anti-smuggling efforts, and improve operational efficiency as part of the administration’s broader modernization initiatives under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..

“We are committed to modernizing the Bureau through technology-driven reforms that will strengthen transparency, improve operational efficiency, and make customs processes more responsive to the needs of stakeholders and the business community,” the Customs Chief stressed.

He further reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to collaboration with stakeholders, stating, “We will continue to engage sincerely with our stakeholders because the Bureau of Customs must be a partner in helping businesses grow, not an obstacle to their operations.”

His presentation and openness further earned greater respect for himself and the agency as AmCham is the most informed foreign business chamber in the country, dating back to the country’s colonial ties with the United States.

At the ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit 2026 held on May 7, Atty. Agaton Uvero, Deputy Commissioner for Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG), also underscored how the agency has been balancing its critical dual mandate of facilitating legitimate trade while enforcing strict border protection to combat all forms of illicit trade and smuggling.

The latest summit has gathered more than 200 international leaders aimed at advancing Southeast Asia’s green transition, economic resilience, and sustainable development agenda.

Uvero noted that securing the country’s borders mean coordinating with over 40 partner regulatory agencies that necessitates a balanced and strategic approach against illicit trade and smuggling activities.

“You have to punish illicit trade and make it more expensive to engage in, while at the same time rewarding legitimate trade,” Deputy Commissioner Uvero stated, highlighting the Bureau’s continuing efforts to protect consumers, support compliant industries, and strengthen fair market competition.

In line with this strategy, Deputy Commissioner Uvero reported the expansion of the BOC’s Super Green Lane Program, which enables around 300 trusted companies to process paperless transactions without face-to-face intervention.

He also announced the Bureau’s plan to fully modernize its Electronic-to-Mobile (E2M) by next year.

The initiative forms part of the Bureau’s broader digital transformation agenda aimed at reducing red tape, improving efficiency, and promoting transparency in customs processes.

The modernization drive is being aggressively pursued under the directive of Commissioner Nepomuceno, who continues to champion digitalization, institutional integrity, and technology-driven governance thru his ‘IAM’ (Integrity, Accountability and Modernization) Prorgam.