The Bureau of Customs (BOC), alongside the Department of Finance (DOF), reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional economic security and sustainable trade during the ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit 2026.
The premier international gathering convened more than 200 international leaders to advance Southeast Asia’s green transition, economic resilience, and sustainable development agenda.
During the panel discussion, Deputy Commissioner Agaton Uvero of the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group underscored the BOC’s critical dual mandate of facilitating legitimate trade while enforcing strict border protection measures in coordination with over 40 partner regulatory agencies. Uvero emphasized that safeguarding the economy requires a balanced and strategic approach against illicit trade and smuggling activities.
“You have to punish illicit trade and make it more expensive to engage in, while at the same time rewarding legitimate trade.”
“You have to punish illicit trade and make it more expensive to engage in, while at the same time rewarding legitimate trade,” the Deputy Commissioner stated, highlighting the Bureau’s continuing efforts to protect consumers, support compliant industries, and strengthen fair market competition.
In line with this strategy, Uvero reported the expansion of the BOC’s Super Green Lane Program, which enables around 300 trusted companies to process paperless transactions without face-to-face intervention. He also announced the Bureau’s plan to fully modernize its Electronic-to-Mobile (E2M) by next year. The initiative forms part of the Bureau’s broader digital transformation agenda aimed at reducing red tape, improving efficiency, and promoting transparency in customs processes.
“The expansion of the BOC’s Super Green Lane Program enables around 300 trusted companies to process paperless transactions without face-to-face intervention.”
The modernization drive is being aggressively pursued under the directive of Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, who continues to champion digitalization, institutional integrity, and technology-driven governance to transform the Bureau into a more responsive and globally competitive customs administration.
Under Nepomuceno’s leadership, the BOC is accelerating reforms that reduce human intervention, strengthen accountability, and enhance trade facilitation through fully digital and data-driven systems; supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push to modernize and digitalize government services.
