BOC HAILS SUCCESS OF ‘CICAC’
BUREAU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio hailed the continuing success of the ‘Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council’ (CICAC) that he personally initiated last year to further strengthen the collaboration between the agency and its major stakeholders and partners.
Reflecting on the past year, Comm. Rubio highlighted the agency’s significant progress in achieving its goals anchored on his ‘5-Point Priority Programs.’
The Customs chief enumerated his agency’s successes that it achieved in close collaboration with its partners-stakeholders during the 3rd CICAC General Assembly and 1st Anniversary last March 14, 2025, hosted by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCII) headed by its President Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro at the organization’s sprawling Assembly Hall in Binondo, Manila.
The event focused on advancing key initiatives, improving customs operations, refining trade processes, and strengthening collaboration between the government and the private sector.
Since its launch in February 2024, CICAC has held three general assembly meetings and nine Central CICAC meetings. In its first year, membership grew to 59 organizations under the Central CICAC and 122 active organizations in local district CICACs.
Notably, Comm. Rubio cited the successful launch in July 2024 of the ATA Carnet System in partnership with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). The system simplified the temporary admission of goods into Philippine customs territory.
CICAC also engaged private stakeholders and Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs) in collaborative efforts to reduce trade costs and improve cargo clearance efficiency.
Additionally, CICAC worked diligently with customs offices nationwide to address and resolve specific stakeholder concerns more efficiently, Comm. Rubio noted further.
“I see this as a good sign that our industries are unifying and strongly coming together in partnership with the government, particularly the Bureau of Customs,” President Pedro said.
“This anniversary is not only a reflection of the work we have done over the past year but also a testament to the commitment and dedication of all those involved in CICAC’s establishment and success.”
During the meeting, the BOC provided updates on ongoing initiatives, including proposed amendments to customs regulations aimed at streamlining cargo logistics processes.
These initiatives are part of CICAC’s continued drive to improve efficiency and address challenges within the trade and logistics sectors.
As part of the program, Commissioner Rubio also inducted into office the newly-elected leaders from various industries who reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with the BOC to enhance trade compliance and streamline customs procedures.
In closing, Commissioner Rubio emphasized the importance of industry collaboration, stating, “The associations here today represent hundreds of companies, thousands of individuals, and diverse sectors.
“It is our duty to make sure that the decisions we make here are felt at the grassroots level — that is the only time we can truly say we have made a difference in the lives of the people we serve.”
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