CUSTOMS LOOKS BACK AT ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER NEPOMUCENO

THE Bureau of Customs is looking back with pride the advances in reforms and good governance it has achieved during the first year in office of Commissioner Ariel. F. Nepomuceno, inspired by stronger support from its stakeholders and the restoration of public trust.

“Sa nakalipas na isang taon, hindi lang tayo nagpatupad ng reporma. Unti-unti nating ibinabalik ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa Bureau of Customs,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.

“Every illicit shipment we intercepted, every peso we collected, and every system we improved was guided by one purpose and that is to serve the Filipino people with integrity, accountability, and excellence.

“Malayo pa ang ating lalakbayin, but we have laid a strong foundation,” he noted.

Impressive revenue performance amidst global challenges

Official data showed that in the one year since Nepomuceno assumed the top Customs post on July 1, 2025 up to June 30, 2026, the BOC collected a preliminary revenue of ₱965.649 billion, nearly approaching its assigned target this year of over ₱1 trillion.

Focused on this goal, the BOC, in the first half of the year generated ₱491.748 billion revenue, which is 2.4 percent above target equivalent to ₱11.478 billion.

The accomplishment has been called “impressive” in view of the current global business downturn due to the still ongoing war in the Middle East that affected both the flow and benchmark price of oil.

The expanded role of the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG) under Assistant Commissioner Atty. Vincent Philip Maronilla to ensure stakeholders’ compliance to Customs laws and regulations and which now includes the screening of applicants thru the Account Management Office (AMO) also added ₱3.066 billion in the agency’s revenue.

‘Non-traditional’ sources of revenue such as public auctions generated a further ₱305.639 million, with an additional ₱217 million expected from negotiated sales.

These included the disposal of thirteen Discaya-linked luxury vehicles and the approved sale of two Bugatti Chiron Supercars valued at ₱205.016 million, among the highest-value recoveries in the Bureau’s history.

These efforts ensured that proceeds from unlawful activities are returned to the Filipino people and support national programs.

Towards a fully digitized BOC

Under Nepomuceno’s leadership, the agency speeded up its digitization program that prioritized

improving transactions through expanded digital systems.

Presently, the BOC has already strengthened the Electronic Payment Portal integration with Landbank for secure collection of duties and taxes; the ‘e-CPS’ (Electronic Certificate of Payment System) now delivers faster proof of payment, while he upgraded Online Tax Estimator mainly used in the computation of arriving parcels by air now delivers clearer and more accurate computation of charges.

By the end of the year, the BOC also expects the ‘e-AWB’ (Electronic Airway Bill) initiative to reduce paperwork and speed up cargo clearance through improved data sharing across the logistics chain.

Seamless trade thru ease of doing business

With trade facilitation as among the key mandates of the agency, Commissioner Nepomuceno initiated a series of trade facilitation and ease-of-doing-business reforms for a seamless customs processes and improved stakeholder services.

From one year, the BOC now extends the registration validity of all importers, exporters and customs broker that not only cuts on red tape but also reduced the cost of Customs accreditation.

Commissioner Nepomuceno also ordered the request for valuation to be complied with within three days (from five days) that resulted to faster cargo clearance.

Recognizing the important role of its stakeholders, the BOC also established the ‘Top Importers’ Office’ that would provide more direct and responsive support to major industry players that contribute huge amounts of revenue to the government.

Recognition fully deserved

From being hesitant and careful observers of the goings on at the waterfront, stakeholders are now coming out to fully express their satisfaction and support to the reform agenda of the Customs Chief anchored on three simple policy direction: Integrity, Accountability and Modernization (IAM Customs) that the agency launched as a ‘movement’ (IAM BOC Movement) last April.

It calls on Customs officials and personnel to take shared responsibility in strengthening integrity, upholding accountability, and advancing modernization in public service.

Capping his first year in office, the Customs Chief last July 7, was recognized by the Asia Golden Icon Award as among Asia’s top public servant in the field of customs modernization, a well-earned recognition also hailed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), one of the country’s leading business umbrella (Pinoy Exposé, July 15, 2026).

Similarly, in separate statements the agency received, both the steel and cement industries, thru the Philippines Iron and Stell Institute (PISI) and the Cement Manufacturers of the Philippines (CeMAP) commended the reforms now transforming the BOC into a government agency that they can trust.

In separate messages, the organizations lauded the BOC’s achievements.

PISI stated, “We commend your leadership and the commitment of the entire BOC workforce in ensuring that every peso collected serves the Filipino people. May this milestone inspire continued excellence in service and integrity.”

CeMAP likewise conveyed, “We commend you and the entire Bureau of Customs for this significant achievement and look forward to even greater collaboration as the Bureau continues to build a more efficient, effective, and globally competitive customs administration.

“Mabuhay po kayo, Commissioner Ariel, at ang kabuuan ng Bureau of Customs!”

Earlier, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCI), had likewise issued praises and support to the leadership of Nepomuceno and his reform agenda.