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Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno issued firm directives for this year to ensure consistent and effective delivery of the Bureau of Customs’ core mandates
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These include strengthening revenue collection, improve trade facilitation, and intensify enforcement measures to safeguard the country’s borders
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He also highlighted his priority framework, “I A M” or Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization, which serves as the foundation of the BOC’s ongoing reforms
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Officials from BOC’s 17 collection districts and the central office signed a collective pledge of commitment, affirming their support for the bureau’s reform agenda
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno issued firm directives for this year to ensure consistent and effective delivery of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) core mandates, particularly to strengthen revenue collection, advance trade facilitation, and intensify enforcement measures to safeguard the country’s borders.
To mark the start of the year’s work and set clear expectations, Nepomuceno underscored BOC’s shared mission and commitment to performance and reform during the agency’s first Collector’s Conference for 2026 in January.
“This conference is our first step for the year to pursue our common mission of delivering the targets starting this month alongside the reforms. Perform well and I will support you, because your success is my success and the success of the entire Bureau,” Nepomuceno said as quoted in a statement.
He also highlighted his priority framework, “I A M” or Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization, which serves as the foundation of the BOC’s ongoing reforms and is aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s good governance agenda.
During their recent New Year’s Call, officials from BOC’s 17 collection districts and the central office signed a collective pledge of commitment, affirming their support for the bureau’s reform agenda.
The pledge underscored the officials’ resolve to advance good governance, strengthen institutional credibility, and deliver efficient and responsive customs services in line with the national development agenda.
Discussions during the conference focused on key operational priorities, including performance assessment, strategic direction setting, adoption of institutional best practices, enforcement coordination, and policy reforms aimed at delivering timely, efficient, and reliable customs services in support of economic stability, lawful trade, and reliable public service.
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BOC also recognized collection districts that surpassed their collection targets for November 2025 (Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Batangas, and Clark), those that exceeded their targets for December 2025 (Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga), and ports that surpassed targets for both months (Davao, Aparri, Limay, and Cebu) for their role in strengthening national revenue collection.
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Moving forward, BOC said it remains focused on translating leadership directives into concrete action across all ports and offices, ensuring consistent enforcement, streamlined processes, and heightened accountability.
“Through sustained coordination, data driven decision making, and continuous modernization, the BOC continues to strengthen efficient customs operations that support lawful trade, protect consumers, and uphold the public interest,” the bureau said.
