No small talk. No photo-op fluff. Just straight-to-business governance.
Executives from Unilever-RFM Ice Cream, Inc. marched into the Bureau of Customs – Port of Manila (POM) for a high-level courtesy call with District Collector Rizalino Jose C. Torralba, and the message was crystal clear: compliance is king, and efficiency is non-negotiable.
Behind closed doors, the discussion zeroed in on importation procedures, tighter compliance measures, and sharper operational coordination — all aimed at one thing: faster cargo clearance without compromising the law.
 TORRALBA: STREAMLINE, BUT STAY STRICT
Collector Rizalino Jose C. Torralba made it plain — the Port of Manila is not easing up on enforcement. Instead, it is sharpening its systems.
Torralba underscored POM’s aggressive push to:
•Strengthen transparency mechanisms
•Cut bureaucratic bottlenecks
•Enforce customs laws without fear or favor
•Promote legitimate trade under strict compliance standards
The tone? Direct. Results-driven. Reform-focused.
Under his watch, the Port of Manila continues to balance two critical mandates: facilitating trade while guarding the nation’s borders.
🚨 NEPOMUCENO’S DIRECTIVE: PARTNERSHIP WITH PURPOSE
Hovering over every reform effort is the firm directive of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno — a leadership approach that blends discipline with decisive modernization.
Commissioner Nepomuceno has consistently pushed ports nationwide to:
•Intensify revenue collection efforts
•Strengthen border protection
•Build credible partnerships with compliant industry players
•Erase inefficiencies that slow down lawful trade
The message from the top is unmistakable:
Customs is open for business — but only for those who follow the rules.
🤝 PRIVATE SECTOR, TAKE NOTE
The visit ended on a strong and constructive note, with both sides committing to sustained communication and operational alignment.
For legitimate importers, the signal is encouraging.
For would-be violators, the warning is louder than ever.
At the Port of Manila, reform is not cosmetic.
It is structural. It is deliberate. And it is being enforced.
With Collector Torralba steering ground operations and Commissioner Nepomuceno setting the national tempo, the Bureau of Customs is making one thing clear:
Trade facilitation will move fast — but compliance will move faster.
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