Nepomuceno, Talusan Lead Crackdown to Secure Southern Luzon Gateway

The Bureau of Customs–Port of Batangas (BOC-POB) is sending a clear and uncompromising message: the era of loose vigilance and blind spots in Batangas ports is over.

Under the firm leadership of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno and District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan, the BOC-POB has intensified its collaboration with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)–Batangas, led by Port Manager Aurora A. Mendoza, in a decisive move to tighten security, enforce compliance, and shut down opportunities for smuggling and other illegal port activities.

The coordination meeting held on January 21, 2026, at the PPA–Batangas Office was not just another courtesy call—it was a strategic alignment aimed at fortifying the Port of Batangas and its surrounding private wharves, long viewed as critical pressure points in trade and border control.

No Safe Harbor for Violators

Through strengthened inter-agency coordination, the BOC-POB and PPA are ramping up vessel monitoring, certification enforcement, intelligence sharing, and joint operations, ensuring that no uncertified, unmonitored, or non-compliant port activity slips through the cracks.

The PPA underscored its non-negotiable requirements on port certifications, making it clear that non-compliance will no longer be tolerated. This synchronized approach reinforces the government’s resolve to protect one of Southern Luzon’s most vital trade gateways from abuse and corruption.

Talusan: Vigilance Is Non-Negotiable

District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan made the bureau’s stance unmistakably clear:

“Vigilance is not optional. It is essential to ensure safe, secure, and reliable port services. Our collaboration with the Philippine Ports Authority allows us to respond decisively to emerging threats, prevent illegal activities, and ensure faster and more transparent cargo clearance for legitimate stakeholders.”

Her leadership signals a zero-tolerance posture, particularly against activities that undermine revenue collection, port security, and public trust.

Nepomuceno’s Directive: Transparency with Teeth

This intensified enforcement drive is fully aligned with Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno’s standing directive to uphold transparency, accountability, and integrity across all Customs ports nationwide.

Under Nepomuceno’s watch, the Bureau of Customs has made it clear that coordination, not complacency, is the new standard—and that ports are no longer playgrounds for smugglers and fixers.

Message Sent, Lines Drawn

With BOC-POB and PPA moving in lockstep, the message to would-be violators is blunt and unmistakable: Batangas ports are under watch, and enforcement is tightening.

As a major hub for trade and passenger movement, the Port of Batangas is now firmly positioned as a secure gateway—one where legitimate commerce is protected and illegal activity has no room to hide.

Under Nepomuceno and Talusan, vigilance is no longer just a promise—it is policy in action.

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