The Bureau of Customs (BOC) won the Philippines Strategic Partnership Innovation of the Year – Government Organization award at the Asian Innovation Excellence Awards 2026 held in Singapore, earning regional recognition for its efforts to strengthen stakeholder engagement and advance trade facilitation.
The award recognizes the Bureau’s Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC), a platform that promotes regular collaboration between the BOC and the private sector to improve customs policies, streamline processes, and support legitimate trade.
The BOC established CICAC in February 2024 under the leadership of former Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio to institutionalize dialogue and partnership with stakeholders. Since then, the Bureau has sustained and strengthened the initiative, with Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno continuing its implementation as a key component of the agency’s modernization and stakeholder engagement agenda.
Through quarterly CICAC meetings, the Bureau provides industry groups, business organizations, and other stakeholders with a regular venue to discuss operational concerns, propose solutions, and contribute to customs reforms and trade facilitation measures.
BOC officials Director John Simon of the Internal Administration Group and Director Venus Apas of the International Partnerships and Filipino Workers Affairs Office received the award on behalf of the Bureau during the ceremony.
Joining the Philippine delegation were several industry leaders and members of the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC), underscoring the strong partnership between the Bureau and the private sector.
Among those present were Ricardo Yu, Vice-Chairman of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII); Elaine Tan, President of the Customs Bonded Warehouse Operators, Inc. (CBWOI); Gerald Uy Chan, President of the Chinese-Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI); Olivia Limpe-Aw, President of Destileria Limtuaco and representative of the Distilled Spirits Association of the Philippines (DSAP); and Greg Chan, Director of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI). Their attendance reflected the collaborative spirit that has driven CICAC’s success since its establishment.
“By strengthening our engagement with stakeholders through CICAC, we can develop practical solutions, improve customs services, and support a more efficient trading environment.”
“This recognition highlights the value of strong partnerships in driving meaningful reforms,” Nepomuceno said. “By strengthening our engagement with stakeholders through CICAC, we can develop practical solutions, improve customs services, and support a more efficient trading environment.”
Through CICAC, the agency regularly consults stakeholders on policy reforms, operational issues, digitalization initiatives, and trade facilitation programs.
The council has helped strengthen communication between customs and industry, enabling the BOC to adopt responsive measures that improve service delivery and facilitate legitimate trade.
The council has helped strengthen communication between customs and industry, enabling the BOC to adopt responsive measures that improve service delivery and facilitate legitimate trade.
The awards body recognized the BOC for its innovation, effectiveness, problem-solving approach, and long-term impact. CICAC stood out for creating a sustainable framework for government-industry collaboration and translating stakeholder engagement into concrete reforms.
