-
The Bureau of Customs created a dedicated office for domestic stakeholder engagement and inter-agency collaboration
-
The Customs Local Affairs Office will serve as BOC’s central unit that will coordinate and oversee programs, initiatives, and collaborative activities involving local government units, national government agencies, and other domestic stakeholders
-
BOC said the evolving landscape of customs administration requires sustained collaboration with government agencies and industry associations
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has created a dedicated office for domestic stakeholder engagement and inter-agency collaboration.
The Customs Local Affairs Office (CLAO), established under the Office of the Commissioner through Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 17-2026, will serve as BOC’s central office for domestic stakeholder engagement and institutional partnerships. It will coordinate and oversee programs, initiatives, and collaborative activities involving local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), and other domestic stakeholders.
CMO No. 17-2026 noted that the evolving landscape of customs administration requires sustained collaboration with LGUs, NGAS, government-owned or controlled corporations, the judiciary, domestic business organizations, industry associations, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
“A centralized mechanism is therefore necessary to coordinate these engagements, promote policy consistency, institutionalize partnerships, and ensure the effective implementation of collaborative initiatives in support of customs modernization, border security, and institutional development,” the memo noted.
READ: BOC, CFO sign pact to help OFWs safeguard balikbayan boxes
BOC, PDEA ink MOA to strengthen anti-drug border enforcement
The CMO aims to promote a whole-of-government approach in customs administration through strengthened collaboration with government offices and institutions, while also strengthening partnerships with domestic private sector organizations, industry associations, chambers of commerce, academic institutions, and civil society organizations in support of customs modernization and institutional development.
Other functions
Other functions of the CLAO include: developing, implementing, and monitoring programs that promote stakeholder engagement; public awareness, cooperation, and collaborative governance; coordinating domestic initiatives supporting customs modernization, border management, revenue enhancement, and institutional development; and coordinating with the Top Importers Office whenever partnership initiatives involve top importers or accredited stakeholders to ensure complementarity of functions.
The CLAO is an ad hoc office to be headed by a director and may consist of divisions, sections, and support units as may be authorized by the Customs commissioner.
Relatedly, BOC earlier created the Customs International Affairs Office, which is tasked to handle international cooperation and external stakeholder engagement.
BOC this year also established the Overseas Filipino Workers Affairs and Partnership to handle matters involving overseas Filipino workers and balikbayan affairs; the CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives) Response Team to act as first responders during CBRNE incidents within customs jurisdiction and territory; and the Top Importers Office as the agency’s dedicated facilitation unit for top importers, exporters, and third parties engaged in customs-related operations. It also created the Project Management Office and Customs Policy and Issuance Office to manage its programs and projects for modernization, while also reactivating its Compliance Monitoring Unit to check compliance of its various offices with customs laws, regulations, and issuances.—Roumina Pablo
