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The Bureau of Customs has created two offices dedicated to managing its programs and projects for modernization, and to enhancing its capacity in policy development
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A new Project Management Office will serve as the oversight arm for the planning, review, implementation, and monitoring of priority programs, activities, and projects
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A former PMO had been reorganized and renamed as the Customs Policy and Issuance Office, which is a permanent body dedicated to policy development, issuance, and dissemination
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has created two offices dedicated to managing its programs and projects for modernization, and to enhancing its capacity in policy development.
Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 07-2026 sets up a Project Management Office (PMO) under the Office of the Commissioner (OCOM) that will serve as the oversight arm for the planning, review, implementation, and monitoring of priority programs, activities, and projects, “ensuring that they are executed efficiently, effectively, and economically under existing laws, rules, and regulations.”
A former PMO, meanwhile, has been reorganized and renamed as the Customs Policy and Issuance Office (CPIO) under CMO No. 08-2026.
As a permanent body, CPIO aims to enhance BOC’s institutional capacity in policy development and issuance, and to ensure that policies – customs administrative orders (CAOs) and customs memorandum orders (CMOs) – are created through a professional, transparent, and consultative process.
The creation of the PMO as an adjunct office under the OCOM is in line with BOC’s Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization (IAM) Program and Five-Point Priority Reform Agenda to actively employ modernization strategies and programs to further improve its operations and services.
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Under No. 07-2026, all programs, activities, and projects that aim to modernize and enhance the facilities, equipment, resources, systems, and technology of BOC are deemed as priority by the Customs commissioner.
The objectives of the new PMO include, among others, facilitating the timely and organized planning and implementation of priority programs, activities, and projects, while ensuring either completion or sustainability. It also aims to ensure that the resources of BOC are allocated and utilized judiciously in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations
Moreover, it aims to establish a single point of contact for ad hoc offices created either to perform highly technical or specialized tasks, or to handle functions and/or projects which are mandated by special laws, other than the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
CPIO
The CPIO, meanwhile, will serve as the main policy body of BOC, responsible for drafting, reviewing, and disseminating all customs issuances.
In this role, CMO No. 08-2026 states: “it guarantees consistency with the CMTA, alignment with international standards and best practices, and responsiveness to the Bureau’s operational needs and strategic goals.”
CMO No. 08-2026 also states that transforming the former PMO into a permanent body dedicated to policy development, issuance, and dissemination “ensures that each customs issuance is legally sound, operationally practical, and aligned with international best practices, while also supporting the Bureau’s long-term modernization goals and strengthening public trust.”
The CPIO will be led by the BOC Revenue Collection Monitoring Group (RCMG) deputy commissioner as head, and the BOC Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) deputy commissioner as co-head.
Supporting them is the Legal Service Director as supervising head, who will provide authoritative legal oversight of the CPIO’s outputs. The CPIO’s work will be carried out through its team leaders, each of whom heads either the drafting, review, or cascading team. A secretariat will also be established to ensure the efficient and uninterrupted functioning of the CPIO.
The CPIO will select its members from a pool of technical experts, subject-matter specialists and experienced personnel across BOC. Membership will be organized according to thematic fields, ensuring that all core functions of BOC are represented in the drafting, review, and dissemination of CAOs and CMOS. These thematic fields include revenue collection and assessment; operations; border protection and enforcement; trade facilitation and modernization; tariff, valuation, and classification; post-clearance audit; information and communications technology; human resources and administration; legal, prosecution, and adjudication; and policy, research, and international affairs.
Pending policy work of the former PMO will be transferred to the CPIO for continuation and completion, subject to review and reprioritization by the head and co-head.
Earlier this year, BOC also created the Commissioner’s Strategic Advisory Office, a dedicated office that will serve as an advisory body for the commissioner in making strategic and data-based decisions and policies on customs operations, border security, and trade facilitation.— Roumina Pablo
