Luncheon Meeting with Bureau of Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla

Customs administration in the Philippines has long played a key role in trade facilitation, securing borders, combating illicit trade, among others. In recent years, however, this important element of state function is faced with challenges of burdensome and stringent procedures, and pervasive issues of illicit activities. The 2018 Logistics Performance Index of the World Bank ranked the Philippines low in the customs indicator, placing it at the bottom half of ASEAN economies.1 The ECCP welcomes the government's efforts and commitment to root out corruption as it promotes transparency and encourages greater investor confidence.

To underscore this goal, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently launched its 10-point priority program to improve organizational efficiency, instill higher standards of professionalism and integrity, and strengthen institutional capabilities. It is in this context that the ECCP is organizing a Membership Luncheon Meeting with Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero where he is expected to share, among others, the latest efforts of the agency to achieve efficiency and transparency, the proposed joint administrative order on port congestion, Customs Memorandum Order No. 27-2019, post-clearance audits, the national and ASEAN single windows, and other plans and priorities of the bureau to enhance trade facilitation.