Under the firm and transformative leadership of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) is once again setting the tone for integrity and discipline in public service. This time, the agency rolls out a nationwide Random Drug Testing program—another bold stride toward restoring public trust and institutional credibility.

Commissioner Nepomuceno’s latest directive directly answers President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for government offices to uphold transparency, accountability, and trustworthiness. For Nepomuceno, such initiatives are more than just compliance—they are a reflection of his vision to build a Customs service that exemplifies professionalism and moral uprightness.

Anchored on Customs Memorandum Circular No. 248-2018, which institutionalizes the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS) of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), this program ensures that every Customs office—from the central headquarters to the smallest sub-port—becomes part of a unified campaign against the menace of illegal drugs.

“The vision I hold for the Bureau of Customs is a culture rooted in professionalism and accountability. In advancing this, we also extend our strong support to the Dangerous Drugs Board’s campaign to eradicate the illicit supply and demand for dangerous drugs and precursor chemicals.”
— Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno

Nepomuceno emphasized that maintaining a drug-free workplace is vital to safeguarding the welfare of BOC personnel and ensuring their effectiveness as frontliners in border protection and trade facilitation.

Through this initiative, Commissioner Nepomuceno once again demonstrates that his leadership is not only about systems and reforms—it is about values, discipline, and integrity. His vision for a Customs bureau built on honesty and service continues to resonate with national priorities and global standards alike.

Indeed, as the Bureau strengthens its internal integrity mechanisms, Comm. Ariel Nepomuceno stands as a steadfast example of what transformative leadership means in public service—firm in principle, decisive in action, and unwavering in his pursuit of a clean, accountable, and drug-free Customs.

Spread the news