BOC gets Asian recognition for innovation excellence

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) under Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno continues to gather recognition at the global level after winning the Philippines Strategic Partnership Innovation of the Year – Government Organisation award at the Asian Innovation Excellence Awards 2026 held last October 20 in Singapore.

The award is in recognition of the success of the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC), a platform that promotes regular collaboration between the BOC and the private sector to improve customs policies, streamline processes, and support legitimate trade.

The CICAC was established in February 2024, during the term of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio to institutionalize dialogue and partnership with stakeholders.

Rubio was succeeded by Nepomuceno in July 2025 who continued the CICAC, seeing it as a key component of the agency’s modernization and stakeholder engagement agenda.

Through quarterly CICAC meetings, the Bureau provides industry groups, business organizations, and other stakeholders with a regular venue to discuss operational concerns, propose solutions, and contribute to customs reforms and trade facilitation measures.

BOC officials Director John M. Simon of the Internal Administration Group and Director Venus E. Apas of the International Partnerships and Filipino Workers Affairs Office received the award on behalf of the Bureau during the ceremony.

Joining the Philippine delegation were several industry leaders and members of the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC), underscoring the strong partnership between the Bureau and the private sector.

Among those present were Ricardo Yu, Vice-Chairman of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII); Elaine Tan, President of the Customs Bonded Warehouse Operators, Inc. (CBWOI); Gerald Uy Chan, President of the Chinese-Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI);

Olivia Limpe-Aw, President of Destileria Limtuaco and representative of the Distilled Spirits Association of the Philippines (DSAP); and Greg Chan, Director of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI).

“This recognition highlights the value of strong partnerships in driving meaningful reforms,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.

“By strengthening our engagement with stakeholders through CICAC, we can develop practical solutions, improve customs services, and support a more efficient trading environment.”

At the 5th SGV Tax Symposium under the theme, ‘Beyond Borders: Advancing Philippine Growth through ASEAN and the Big Bold Tax Reforms,’ Commissioner Nepomuceno also bared the agency’s modernization agenda, placing transparent processes and accountable service at the center of a more competitive trading environment.

“We have to put the right systems in place to fully modernize customs processes and hold our people accountable,” Commissioner Nepomuceno stressed.

“Kapag maayos nating ginampanan ang ating trabaho, mas lalago ang inyong mga negosyo, at sama-sama tayong makatutulong sa pag-unlad ng bansa,” he added.

Among the Bureau’s major initiatives is the Customs Processing System (CPS), a digital platform designed to streamline document submission, assessment, payment, and cargo release through a fully electronic process.

Commissioner Nepomuceno recently led a delegation to Japan with the aim of further improving the CPS (Pinoy Exposé, October 29, 2026).

During the event, he also emphasized that good governance and strong revenue collection go hand in hand.

The Customs Chief said stricter assessment procedures and greater personnel accountability support efforts to curb undervaluation, misclassification, and misdeclaration.

They also protect government revenues while fostering a level playing field for compliant businesses, he added.