When tragedy strikes, true leadership rises — and that’s exactly what we saw in the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) swift and compassionate response to the recent earthquake that rocked Cebu.

Under the guidance of BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, the agency went beyond its regulatory mandate to extend a helping hand to families who lost their homes and livelihoods. The BOC turned over abandoned and forfeited goods to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) — goods that would have otherwise remained idle in storage — and transformed them into lifelines for the victims.

The donation included 56 rapid emergency tents, 1,087 assorted tents, 50 mobile power supply units, and one bio-toilet unit, all essential to restore dignity and normalcy to displaced residents. Additionally, BOC personnel voluntarily donated over 100 sacks of rice, demonstrating that compassion runs deep within the institution.

Commissioner Nepomuceno, a former OCD Administrator and DND Undersecretary, has a deep understanding of disaster response from the inside out. His words captured the heart of public service:

“In moments like this, every donation can make a difference for our countrymen who have lost their homes and security. Having worked with the OCD in the past, alam ko po firsthand kung gaano kahalaga na mabilis, maayos, at diretso ang tulong sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta.”

Those are not just words — they are lived values. Nepomuceno’s leadership is a reminder that government service is not only about systems and statistics but also about empathy and action.

Equally commendable is MICP District Collector Rizalino Jose C. Torralba, whose office contributed most of the donated goods. His unwavering support for the program reflects a powerful vision — that Customs can be a force for good beyond ports and paperwork.

“The Manila International Container Port stands in full support of the BOC’s thrust to transform abandoned goods into opportunities for service. Through this donation, we hope to extend help and bring comfort to our fellow Filipinos in Cebu who are recovering from this calamity,” Torralba said.

Indeed, Torralba’s message cuts to the core of what public service should be: purposeful, people-centered, and proactive.

As the OCD now takes charge of distributing the goods to the quake-hit communities, one thing is clear — this collaboration between the BOC and OCD demonstrates how effective governance works when compassion meets coordination.

In times of crisis, Commissioner Nepomuceno and Collector Torralba remind us that the Bureau of Customs is not merely an agency of collection — it is, more importantly, an agency of care.

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When government officials choose to serve with heart, they do more than move goods — they move lives.

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