THE Bureau of Customs (BOC), under the leadership of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno and the Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc. (PCCBI), signed an agreement supporting the agency’s thrust towards good governance and institutional reforms aimed at promoting integrity, accountability, professionalism, and modernization across customs service.
The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) took place last October 16, 2026, as one of the key highlights of the PCCBI’s 34th National Convention under the theme, ‘PCCBI: Stronger Through Change, Empowering Resilient and Ethical Customs Brokers in a Shifting Global Trade Landscape.’
The agreement was signed by Commissioner Nepomuceno and PCCBI National President Atty. Norberto V. Castillo, marking a strengthened partnership between the BOC and the customs brokerage profession, one of the agency’s key partners.
Titled ‘The Institutionalization of Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization through Transformational Change in the Philippine Customs Service,’ the agreement supports the BOC’s ‘IAM BOC Movement’ anchored on the Customs’ Chief’s 3 key philosophies for good governance and institutional transformation, namely, Integrity, Accountability and Modernization.
The MOA extends the IAM BOC Movement to cover customs brokers, industry professionals, and educational institutions through collaborative programs on values formation, professional ethics, character building, and continuing moral regeneration education.
Moving forward, both organizations would coordinate integrity and transformation programs across customs ports and PCCBI chapters nationwide, designate coordinators to facilitate implementation, and collaborate with educational institutions offering Customs Administration programs to promote ethical values among future customs professionals.
During his inspirational address at the convention, Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized that meaningful reforms require the collective participation of customs personnel and industry stakeholders, underscoring their shared responsibility in improving Customs service.
“The reform agenda is not limited to BOC. Ang problema ng BOC, problema ‘yan ng buong bansa. At lalo na kayo, kasama namin kayo, you are most affected if BOC is inefficient, efficient, good or bad,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.
“So we must join our efforts, we must do our best together to improve the Bureau of Customs,” he added.
The Commissioner also highlighted the Bureau’s ongoing modernization efforts, particularly the development of the Customs Processing System (CPS), which aims to automate customs processes, including document submission, assessment, payment, and release of goods, while recognizing the vital role of customs brokers in facilitating legitimate trade.