THE new Customs leadership brought in by Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno continues to earn strong support from stakeholders as industry leaders from the private sector attended in full strength during the convening of the 5th General Assembly of the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) last March 19.
Addressing the Customs chief, Chinese – Filipino Business Club, Inc. President Gerald Uy Chan boldly said, “Because of your leadership, bridges were built; because of your leadership, trust was restored; and because of your leadership, progress became possible.”
Comparing past CICAC activities, Chan also added:
“What makes CICAC truly valuable (today) is simple: it works.
“For the first time the private sector is not just heard, we are engaged. Not just consulted, we are included. Not just informed, we are part of the solution.
“And through CICAC, communication has become direct, honest, and efficient.
“Diretso na at wala nang paligoy-ligoy, and in that simplicity, we found something powerful, which is trust.
“Indeed, the Bureau of Customs has transformed. From an agency once avoided to an institution now respected, engaged, and trusted.”
The CICAC was formed to gather key Customs industry stakeholders to advance cooperation and support more efficient customs processes.
The assembly also served as a platform to review ongoing initiatives, exchange updates, and align priorities between the BOC and its partners, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to enhance ease of doing business, streamline government processes, and strengthen public-private collaboration.
On his assumption last July 2025, Nepomuceno, a former customs deputy commissioner and serving as Undersecretary at the Department of National Defense in charge of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), brought with him officials known for their expertise and commitment to his reform agenda. They include Atty. Agaton Uvero, a known customs laws expert and book author who returns in his old post as Deputy Commissioner for Assessment Operations and Collection Group (AOCG), retired police general Nolasco Bathan as Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement (EG) in charge of the Customs Police (ESS) and seasoned customs officer, Romeo Rosales as Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence.
The IG is considered the second “most powerful” post in the BOC with the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) as its operating arm now headed by Director Thomas Narcise, who also entered Customs with Nepomuceno.
Nepomuceno also brought in two of his most trusted staff from the OCD to backstop him at the Office of the Commissioner, namely: Assistant Secretary Atty. Jek Casipit and Assistant Secretary Charlie Bathan.
During the conference proper, the BOC presented updates on deliverables from previous CICAC meetings, key presentations on ongoing operational improvements and modernization initiatives, including efforts to ease port congestion, the continued rollout of the Electronic Customs Processing (eCP) System, and developments on a proposed new Customs Processing System aimed at enhancing service delivery and ensuring more efficient and reliable cargo clearance processes.
In his remarks, Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized the importance of harmonizing efforts between the Bureau and its stakeholders to ensure smoother business processes, improved revenue collection, and greater contributions to national development.
“Our commitment to you is, we are not wasting your time, we are serious in identifying what are your concerns with the Bureau of Customs, and on the other hand we are also interested to let you know what we need from you.
“Because again we are in the middle of a challenging aspiration that we are transforming the Bureau of Customs for you, and as I always mention too, that the very good news is and we don’t have to second guess, the President himself is hoping a modern Bureau will be his legacy.
“So I am honored to be part of that mission and I need your help in making this mission successful,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.