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Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno is transferring to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority after more than a year of heading the Bureau of Customs
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Nepomuceno confirmed to media late November 11 that he will replace BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang
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BOC in a statement lauded Nepomuceno’s leadership, citing record revenue collections, policy reforms, and internal changes emphasizing accountability and integrity
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Nepomuceno called on Customs personnel to continue supporting the institution and its next leader, who reportedly will be Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza, who was formerly a BOC official
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno will be transferring to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) after more than a year of heading the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Nepomuceno himself confirmed to media late Wednesday that he will be replacing BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang following a BOC statement earlier in the day indicating that there is no official directive yet from Malacañang on the matter.
The appointment letter of Nepomuceno as BCDA acting president and CEO was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos on November 11 and signifies immediate effectivity.
In a statement on November 12, BOC said as Nepomuceno prepares to pass on the leadership of the bureau, “he leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond numbers and milestones” and an agency “that is stronger, more confident, and more united in its mission, guided by a shared belief that meaningful reform is possible when people work together toward a common purpose.”
Since his assumption to office in July 2025, BOC said Nepomuceno had set a clear direction for the bureau through his vision of “Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization (IAM)”.
“At a time of evolving challenges in customs administration, global trade, and border security, he challenged the organization to think differently, work harder, and aim higher. More importantly, the men and women of the Bureau responded to that challenge, embracing reforms and standing behind a leadership that demanded excellence while remaining grounded in public service,” BOC stated.
Record revenue collections
During Nepomuceno’s term, BOC generated P1.327 trillion in duties and taxes from July 2025 to October 2026, “helping fund government programs, infrastructure projects, and essential services that benefit millions of Filipinos.”
Despite economic and trade headwinds this year, BOC said it “continued to deliver strong results”, collecting P853.662 billion from January to October 2026 and exceeding its target for the period by P7.14 billion.
BOC also carried out 1,452 enforcement and intelligence operations, leading to the seizure of P50.93 billion worth of illicit and smuggled goods.
Policy reforms
Beyond collection and enforcement, BOC said Nepomuceno will be remembered for pursuing reforms that many stakeholders had long hoped to see. He championed digitalization, streamlined customs processes, and expanded avenues for public engagement, which BOC said “made the Bureau more responsive, transparent, and accessible to the people it serves.”
Among his most significant achievements was the extension of the validity of Customs accreditation for importers, customs brokers, and exporters from one year to three years. Long regarded as a much-needed reform, BOC said the move reduced red tape and eased compliance requirements for legitimate stakeholders.
“It reflected a leadership willing to listen, act promptly, and pursue practical solutions that create lasting impact,” the bureau added.
Nepmoceno’s leadership also emphasized integrity and accountability within the organization, BOC noted. Through the IAM Movement initiated by Nepomuceno, BOC institutionalized policies aimed at promoting ethical conduct, strengthening transparency, and reinforcing professionalism in public service. He likewise invested in the development of Customs personnel, recognizing that meaningful reform can only be sustained by a capable, principled, and empowered workforce.
READ: Nepomuceno rallies workforce as values-driven movement launched
For his part, Nepomuceno shared the credit for BOC’s achievements with the men and women who stood beside him throughout the reform journey. He recognized that no commissioner can succeed alone and that the gains realized during his tenure were made possible by the trust, hard work, and commitment of Customs personnel across the country.
“Thank you, everyone, for your support and dedication as we worked together toward our shared goal of transforming the Bureau of Customs. Because of your commitment and hard work, we have accomplished so much, and our institution today is stronger, more respected, and better understood by the public,” Nepmoceno told BOC personnel and officials.
He also called on Customs personnel to continue supporting the institution and its next leader.
It was reported that Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza, who was formerly a BOC official, will replace Nepomuceno though no official announcement from Malacañang has been made as of press time.
“While leadership transitions are a natural part of public service, the reforms championed by Commissioner Nepomuceno and the culture he helped strengthen will remain part of the Bureau’s continuing journey. The accomplishments achieved during his tenure stand as proof of what can be accomplished when principled leadership is matched by the dedication of an organization determined to fulfill its mandate,” BOC said.
