Diokno commends Customs for tackling illicit trade
At A Glance
- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) achieves significant progress under Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno's leadership as it intensifies efforts to combat illicit trade and enhance trade facilitation and border control.<br>Seizure of P15.65 billion worth of illegal goods from July to December 2022 through anti-smuggling operations<br>Top-valued seized commodities include illegal drugs, counterfeit products, agricultural products, cigarettes and tobacco, and used clothing<br>Implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) system improves trade facilitation, processing of import and export documentation, and trade compliance<br>BOC collaborates with the United Nations in the NSW Summit 2022, supporting the streamlining of BOC processes through ICT solutions<br>BOC takes action against erring employees, issuing 24 show-cause orders to ensure accountability and discipline<br>Investigation of 175 individuals, with five individuals facing administrative charges<br>Seventeen BOC offices and ports obtain and retain ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification, emphasizing commitment to service quality
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has made significant advancements under the leadership of Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, as it intensifies efforts to combat illicit trade and enhance trade facilitation and border control.
Diokno emphasized the critical importance of curbing illicit trade, citing the protection of essential revenues and consumers from potential harm caused by unregulated products.
With this objective in mind, the BOC has undertaken a series of measures resulting in substantial achievements, he said.
To safeguard Philippine borders from smuggled goods, the BOC executed intensified anti-smuggling operations from July to December 2022, leading to the seizure of illegal goods worth P15.65 billion.
Among the top-valued seized commodities were illegal drugs, totaling P10.2 billion, followed by counterfeit products (P2.450 billion), agricultural products (P1.884 billion), cigarettes and tobacco (P457.763 million), and used clothing (P287.480 million).
In addition to its success in curbing illicit trade, the BOC has made significant strides in trade facilitation.
By implementing the National Single Window (NSW) system, trade and logistics stakeholders can now store all import, export, and transit-related regulatory data on a single internet-based interface.
This streamlined process has resulted in faster processing of import and export documentation, increased trade compliance, transparency, and convenience, effectively addressing previous inefficiencies in the system.
Recognizing the importance of technological solutions, the BOC collaborated with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to organize the NSW Summit 2022.
This summit supported President Marcos’ call to streamline BOC processes through the utilization of information and communications technology (ICT) solutions, further enhancing trade facilitation.
Furthermore, the BOC has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining integrity within the bureau itself.
By taking decisive action against erring employees, the BOC issued 24 show-cause orders to ensure accountability and discipline.
As of December 2022, 175 individuals were either under investigation or had undergone investigation, with five individuals facing administrative charges as a result of their actions.
In its pursuit of excellence, the BOC has also prioritized service quality. Seventeen offices and ports of the BOC have obtained and retained certification for the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS), underscoring the bureau's dedication to upholding high standards and continuously improving its services.