The Bureau of Customs (BOC), under the leadership of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, marked the first anniversary of the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) with the successful hosting of the 3rd CICAC General Assembly on March 14, 2025. The event highlighted key achievements, outlined ongoing initiatives, and underscored the importance of fostering stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector to enhance customs operations and trade processes.
Since its inception in February 2024, CICAC has held three general assembly meetings and nine Central CICAC meetings. In its inaugural year, membership grew to 59 organizations within the Central CICAC and 122 active organizations across local district CICACs.
The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), led by President Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, hosted the event. Dr. Pedro remarked, “This anniversary signifies a positive sign that our industries are uniting and forging strong partnerships with the government, especially the Bureau of Customs. This milestone reflects not only the work we’ve accomplished over the past year but also the unwavering commitment of everyone involved in CICAC’s formation and success.”
During the assembly, the BOC presented updates on its ongoing initiatives, including proposed amendments to customs regulations designed to streamline cargo logistics processes. These initiatives form part of CICAC’s ongoing effort to improve operational efficiency and address persistent challenges within the trade and logistics sectors.
Reflecting on CICAC’s progress, Commissioner Rubio highlighted several significant accomplishments. He cited the successful launch of the ATA Carnet System in July 2024, a collaboration between the BOC and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This system simplified the temporary admission of goods into the customs territory, further promoting ease of doing business. Additionally, CICAC engaged with private stakeholders and Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs) to reduce trade costs and improve cargo clearance efficiency, while also working with customs offices across the country to address and resolve stakeholder concerns more effectively.
The assembly also welcomed newly elected industry leaders, who reaffirmed their commitment to working with the BOC in enhancing trade compliance and streamlining customs procedures.
In his closing remarks, Commissioner Rubio emphasized the importance of continued collaboration, saying, “The associations here today represent hundreds of companies, thousands of individuals, and diverse sectors. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the decisions made here resonate at the grassroots level. Only then can we truly say we have made a meaningful impact on the lives of the people we serve.”
