Rubio, stakeholders laud successful CICAC assembly

BUREAU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and more thn 200 waterfront stakeholders praised the successful conclusion of the Second General Assembly of the Customs – Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) last October 25.

Hosted by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), the event brought together the country’s leading importers, companies, industries, organizations, and foreign chambers to discuss the streamlining of customs clearance processes, achieving the agency’s revenue targets, and addressing industry-specific challenges.

The gathering also coincided with the 8^th central meeting of the CICAC and provided a platform for more than 200 industry stakeholders’ representatives to engage in meaningful discussions on customs-related issues.

ICTSI commercial director, Philippine Cluster, Mikkel Puyat, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the BOC and industry stakeholders to enhance trade efficiency.

“We believe that by working together, we can enhance the competitiveness of the Philippines as a trade hub, streamline our customs processes, and ensure that both the government and the private sector reap the benefits of a more robust, transparent and efficient trade environment,” Puyat said.

In his closing remarks, Rubio emphasized the vital role of the CICAC in enhancing customs operations.

“Our discussions here at CICAC are integral to our ongoing collective efforts to improve our services and operations. The Bureau of Customs is fully committed in serving the public better,” the customs chief said.

Rubio also administered the oath of membership to the new members of CICAC and received a token of appreciation from the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI), which recognized his leadership and the BOC’s efforts to enhance transparency and efficiency in customs operations, underscoring the strong public-private partnership in trade improvement.