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Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said digitalization is the “number one solution” to combat smuggling and corruption
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Nepomuceno emphasized Bureau of Customs’ role as a gateway for imports and exports and a key player in supply chain security
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He warned that smuggling threatens industries, workers, and consumers by distorting competition and hindering economic growth
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BOC plans to digitize import entry, assessment, and release processes within 12-18 months
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Measures include expanded use of scanning tech, CCTV, and surveillance systems
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Supply Chain Security Management Society of the Philippines president Julius Badillo cited evolving risks like geopolitical tensions and cyber threats, urging stronger logistics security
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has called for the full digitalization of customs processes, describing it as the “number one solution” to combat smuggling and corruption, and strengthen supply chain security.
Speaking at the 2025 Supply Chain Security Management Summit organized by the Supply Chain Security Management Society of the Philippines (SCSMSP), Nepomuceno underscored the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) central role in trade facilitation and border protection.
“The BOC, as the main gateway of imports and exports, is a vital component of the entire supply chain both in and out of the country – we play a major role,” he said as quoted in a press release.
He warned that smuggling poses a serious threat to the economy, saying, “Smuggling is, in fact, a national threat. It directly undermines our industries, workers, and consumers. Smuggling distorts fair competition and hinders industrial growth.”
Nepomuceno said the agency is now fast-tracking the automation of import entry submissions, assessments, and release processes to reduce human intervention and increase transparency. The plan also includes the wider use of x-ray scanners, closed-circuit television systems, and enhanced surveillance technologies.
The initiative, he said, is expected to be fully implemented within 12-18 months.
READ: Control of BOC X-ray project returned to Enforcement Group
The summit, themed “Securing Tomorrow: Innovations and Strategies for Resilient Supply Chains,” gathered government officials, industry leaders, and logistics experts to discuss strategies for strengthening supply chain resilience.
SCSMSP President Julius Badillo noted that global supply chains face growing risks from geopolitical tensions, extreme weather events, and cyber threats, underscoring the importance of embedding security into logistics operations to boost reliability, recovery, and investor confidence in the country’s supply chain systems.
READ: Customs chief says reforms gain momentum ahead of US report citing corruption
