MALACAÑAN late on Friday, February 10, 2023, announced the designation of veteran customs officer, Bienvenido ‘Ben’ Rubio, as the new commissioner of the Bureau of Customs.
Rubio, a native of Batac, Ilocos Norte, rose from the ranks of bureau, starting as a Special Agent (SA) 1 in 2001 before being appointed to the post of BOC Director III in charge of port operations service by President Rodrigo Duterte in January 2021 on the back of his accomplishments as an intelligence officer. He is a province mate of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
From SA 1, Rubio subsequently rose from the ranks as special investigator, intelligence officer and officer in charge of the Intelligence Division at the Manila International Container Port.
As port operations service director, Rubio has been credited for advancing the implementation of policies in enhancing port utilization and monitoring the storage, auction, and disposal activities of all the bureau’s 17 collection districts.
Rubio also spearheaded the collaboration with the Strategic Trade Management Office, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and the Anti-Red Tape Authority in establishing mechanisms towards reinforcing trade facilitation, establishing seamless export procedures, and critical information sharing.
In a brief statement to the media after the Palace announcement, Rubio said his top priorities, as directed by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., are, hit and surpass the revenue target for this year, simplify and secure the facilitation of trade, curb smuggling in all its form, and uplift the morale of the men and women of the Bureau of Customs.
In line with the President’s directive, the new customs chief said his plans include the review and revision of customs processes by digitalizing all the BOC processes; enhance the competencies and integrity of personnel to ensure the delivery of quality public service.
Adopt a data-driven culture to ensure that the data gathered are utilized in the decision making for every level of the organization; and link the actions of the agency to the feedbacks and evaluation from its partners and stakeholders.
“I believe in promoting good governance by strengthening the Bureau of Customs first, through active collaboration with its partner-agencies and stakeholders. Essentially, stakeholders will always be considered and included in the process of improving customs services and procedures,” he explained.
“I am also confident that 90 percent of the problems encountered by the customs administration can be solved just by looking at things in an inward perspective,” he added.
Rubio attended the Hilario Valdez Memorial Elementary School for his primary education and the Immaculate Conception Academy for his secondary education, graduating as the class valedictorian.
He later earned his degree in AB Political Science at the Ateneo De Manila University, and in 1999, his Juris Doctor degree at the San Beda College of Law and the San Sebastian College of Law.
Rubio would be replacing Yogi Filemon Ruiz who was appointed as acting commissioner by Pres. Marcos last July 2022.
Rubio’s appointment paper showed that it was signed by the President last February 8, 2023, just a day after the BOC celebrated its 121st anniversary presided by Ruiz and where the Chief Executive was supposed to be the Guest of Honor and Speaker.