No pomp. No pretenses. Just purpose.

On December 22, 2025, Atty. Felipe Geoffrey K. De Vera IV formally stepped into one of the hottest seats in government as he led his first flag-raising ceremony as District Collector of the Bureau of Customs–Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP)—the country’s biggest, busiest, and most closely watched port.

And make no mistake: this wasn’t just a ceremony. It was a statement.

With port officials and rank-and-file employees standing at attention on the MICP grounds, the pledges rang louder than usual—unity, professionalism, integrity—three words that have become both a challenge and a battle cry inside the Bureau of Customs.

In his opening message, Collector De Vera wasted no time setting the tone.

“At the MICP, we do more than regulate trade—we sustain it. Every container cleared, and every declaration processed carries livelihoods, businesses, and public trust in our hands. Efficiency is doing things right, but integrity is doing the right things.”

That line hit home. Because at MICP, every container matters, every delay costs money, and every lapse opens the door to abuse. De Vera made it clear: speed without honesty is useless—and honesty without discipline is just talk.

Behind this leadership transition is the firm hand of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, who continues to recalibrate the Bureau with a simple but uncompromising directive: clean, fast, and accountable customs operations. Nepomuceno’s trust in De Vera signals one thing—results are expected, and excuses won’t be tolerated.

MICP is the crown jewel of Philippine ports. It is where revenue targets are made or broken, where smugglers test the system, and where reforms are either proven or exposed. With Commissioner Nepomuceno steering the national vision and Collector De Vera commanding the ground, the message is unmistakable: this port is under watch, and business will be done right.

As De Vera begins his watch, the marching orders are clear—boost trade facilitation, protect revenues, crush smuggling, and modernize operations without losing moral compass.

At MICP, the flag has been raised.
Now comes the hard part—living up to it.

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