The message from Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno was loud, clear, and impossible to ignore: perform, collect, enforce, and protect the nation’s borders—or get out of the way.

During the recently concluded Collectors’ Conference hosted by the Port of Aparri under District Collector Atty. Segundo Sigmunfreud Z. Barte Jr., the country’s top customs officials gathered not for ceremonial speeches, but for a no-nonsense assessment of who is delivering results and who must work harder in the government’s relentless drive against smuggling and revenue leakage.

Nepomuceno’s marching orders sent shockwaves across the Customs organization. The Commissioner demanded stronger collections, tougher enforcement, tighter intelligence operations, and uncompromising action against smugglers who continue to prey on the country’s economy.
Under his leadership, the Bureau is aggressively pushing a results-driven culture where numbers matter, accountability matters, and performance matters.

At the Port of Manila, District Collector Rizalino “RJ” Torralba continues his campaign to restore discipline and operational efficiency in the country’s premier gateway. His push for streamlined procedures and stronger enforcement has positioned the port as a critical engine of Customs modernization.

Over at the Manila International Container Port, District Collector Atty. Geoffrey De Vera remains at the forefront of revenue generation, ensuring that the country’s busiest container port maintains its role as a powerhouse contributor to government collections while keeping trade flowing efficiently.

At NAIA, District Collector Atty. Yasmin O. Mapa has intensified vigilance against high-value smuggling attempts, proving that facilitation and enforcement can work hand in hand at one of the country’s most sensitive ports of entry.

In Batangas, District Collector Mimel Talusan continues to strengthen customs operations in one of the nation’s fastest-growing trade gateways, balancing trade facilitation with strict regulatory compliance.

At the Port of Clark, District Collector Jairus Reyes has earned recognition for bringing structure, discipline, and operational direction to a strategic air cargo hub increasingly vital to the country’s logistics network.

In Cebu, District Collector Atty. Alexandra Yap-Lumontad continues to reinforce Customs’ presence in the Visayas, ensuring efficient cargo movement while sustaining revenue growth and enforcement efforts.

At the Port of Zamboanga, District Collector Lenny Abaño remains relentless in safeguarding southern maritime borders, a critical mission in a region where security and trade intersect.

Host collector Atty. Segundo Sigmunfreud Z. Barte Jr. of the Port of Aparri showcased the northern gateway’s growing importance in border protection and trade facilitation, earning recognition for successfully organizing the national conference.

In Northern Mindanao, District Collector Atty. Manuel Zurbito Jr. of the Port of Cagayan de Oro continues to strengthen collection performance while supporting economic growth across the region.

At the Port of Davao, District Collector Atty. Maita Acevedo remains focused on improving customs processes and ensuring that one of Mindanao’s most important trade gateways remains competitive and secure.

At the Port of Limay, District Collector Atty. Kriden Balgomera continues to oversee one of the Bureau’s biggest revenue-generating districts, where every percentage increase in collections translates into billions for government programs.

Meanwhile, District Collector Engr. Guillermo Pedro Francia IV continues to play a vital role in advancing Customs modernization initiatives and operational improvements within his jurisdiction, reinforcing the Bureau’s commitment to efficiency and transparency.

The Collectors’ Conference made one thing abundantly clear: Commissioner Nepomuceno is raising the bar.

The era of simply occupying positions is over. The Bureau’s leadership is now being measured by concrete results—higher collections, stronger enforcement, faster cargo processing, and more successful anti-smuggling operations.

As smugglers continue searching for weaknesses, Nepomuceno and his team of district collectors are sending a powerful warning across every port in the country: the Bureau of Customs is no longer playing defense.

It is taking the fight directly to the frontlines.
And the pressure is on for every port to deliver.

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