DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque (second from left) congratulates BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio (third from left) upon receiving the Gawad Bayanihan sa Pamumuhunan Award. Looking on (left) is DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla. (Photo courtesy of BOC)
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio were conferred the Gawad Bayanihan sa Pamumuhunan award for creating a more seamless customs process, boosting the country’s attractiveness to investors.
The BOC team was cited, in particular, for its outstanding efforts in improving trade efficiency, cutting processing times, and supporting strategic investments under Executive Order No. 18 (EO 18) on Green Lanes.
The Department of Trade and Industry – Board of Investments (DTI-BOI) conferred the award Thursday during a ceremony at Malacañang Palace. With the theme “Making it Happen with a Whole-of-Nation Strategy,” the event recognized government agencies and local government units that have actively fostered a business-friendly environment.
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President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. commended the awardees for their role in enhancing investment facilitation. “This award is a call to stay the course and ensure that the progress we have begun continues to build momentum,” he said, encouraging agencies to align their goals with the nation’s economic priorities.
The BOC was recognized for its proactive reforms in 2024, which included institutionalizing the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) to improve collaboration with stakeholders, expanding the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program to accredit trusted traders, and launching the ATA Carnet system for duty-free temporary imports.
Additionally, the agency issued preferential tariff guidelines under the Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement (PH-KR FTA) to maximize trade benefits.
These initiatives significantly enhanced trade security, reduced bottlenecks, and created a more competitive investment landscape, reinforcing the Philippines’ position as a key player in regional and global trade.
Commissioner Rubio expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “This award reaffirms our commitment to modernizing customs processes and ensuring that strategic investments continue to thrive in the country. We will keep pushing for reforms that promote seamless trade and economic growth.”