The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has launched a management portal system that will connect its electronic data-based documents to its counterparts in the Southeast Asia region.
BOC Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said the project is the Philippine government's commitment to have interconnectivity of Customs data with members of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by electronically exchanging export declarations made to customs officials.
The BOC-ASEAN Customs Declaration Document (ACDD) Management Portal was made possible with technical support from USAID's ASEAN Policy Implementation (API) Project. This is accomplished by electronically exchanging export declarations made to customs officials.
"To maximize the potential of intra-ASEAN trade, the BOC ACDD Management Portal enables the Philippines to electronically transmit ACDD data through the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) regional trade facilitation network," said Ruiz.
The Philippines has joined seven other ASEAN Member States, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand, in digitizing trade processes and enhancing regional economic connectivity.
More than 140 stakeholders and representatives from the Philippines witnessed, both in person and virtually, the unveiling of one of the landmark digital tools at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.
During the event, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) urged the participants to pursue greater efficiency in government service delivery through the Signing of the Pledge of Commitment Towards Customs Digital Transformation Through the National Single Window (NSW).
Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno welcomed everyone and highlighted the significance of the Philippines' prompt participation in implementing the live exchange of the ACDD with other ASEAN member states.
"With ongoing support from USAID, the Philippines will be able to speed up its compliance with additional regional ASEAN-endorsed commitments," said Ruiz.
For her part, Jennifer Crow, acting deputy mission director for USAID/Philippines, said the launch of the USAID-supported ACDD management system is a significant step forward to effectively harness the benefits of cross-border trade flows while incorporating international best practices in customs technology.
"Building customs and trade systems that offer greater predictability, visibility, and transparency, will help Filipino exporters expand their markets and maximize opportunities," said Crow.
The NSW and ACDD tutorial video presentations, including the short clip of the ACDD launching event, are available on the official Youtube Page of the Bureau of Customs.