The Bureau of Customs (BOC) under Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno continues to prove that reform and modernization are not just slogans but a living reality within the agency.

At the recently concluded 9th Output 4 Working Group Meeting of the EU-funded ARISE Plus Philippines project, the BOC highlighted a series of landmark achievements that underscore how far the Bureau has come in digital transformation, trade facilitation, and global alignment.

The gathering marked the culmination of Project Year 4, which ran from March 2024 to February 2025, and showcased a clear direction — one where the BOC is no longer a bureaucratic bottleneck but a proactive partner in nation-building.

Commissioner Nepomuceno’s vision of a “smarter, more agile, and globally aligned Bureau of Customs” is now taking solid form. Among the major milestones celebrated were the signing of Customs Administrative Order (CAO) 01-2025, which establishes cross-border control for e-commerce importations, and a Memorandum of Agreement between BOC and PHLPost to accelerate parcel clearance — a move that directly benefits small online entrepreneurs and MSMEs.

The agency also made major strides in strengthening the Integrated Risk Management (IRM) portal, enhancing the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, and developing a specialized AEO scheme for SMEs. These reforms are designed to streamline legitimate trade, minimize red tape, and improve risk-based enforcement.

Equally impressive is the emphasis on capacity building. Both public and private sector participants benefited from training on trade facilitation measures, customs modernization, and e-commerce taxation — areas that define the new frontier of global trade governance.

In partnership with the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), the BOC also launched an online learning platform that equips businesses, especially MSMEs, with knowledge to navigate new trade procedures. This initiative reflects Nepomuceno’s belief that modernization must be inclusive — empowering not only big corporations but also small players who form the backbone of the economy.

Commissioner Nepomuceno’s stewardship has consistently emphasized transparency, efficiency, and partnership. Under his leadership, Customs has moved from being perceived as a gatekeeper to becoming an enabler of growth and competitiveness.

With the unwavering support of the European Union through the ARISE Plus Philippines project, the BOC is laying the groundwork for a customs system that is digitalized, predictable, and trusted — a vital pillar for sustainable economic progress.

As the project enters a new phase, one thing is certain: Ariel Nepomuceno’s brand of leadership — grounded in discipline, innovation, and collaboration — is setting a new benchmark for what good governance in the public sector should look like.

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