The Bureau of Customs Port of Cebu proudly welcomed experts from the World Customs Organization (WCO) on February 15 – 17, 2024, as part of a comprehensive effort to enhance customs practices and procedures. Led by Ms. Donia Hammami, Head of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme from Belgium, the delegation included Mr. Lewis Cameron (Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme from the United Kingdom, Mr. Arno Kooij (WCO Expert from the Netherlands), and Mr. Pipat Sirijumrasskul (WCO Expert from Thailand).
Accompanying the WCO delegation were officials from the Bureau of Customs, including the Head of the External Affairs Office (EAO) Coll. Rechilda T. Oquias, Assistant Head of the External Affairs Office Ms. Kristin May Vista, Acting Head of the Risk Management Office (RMO) Chisa Hasiena Mamowalas, Officer-in-Charge of the Operations Risk Assessment Unit Ms. Giane Paola Solidum, Officer-in-Charge of the Statistical Analysis Unit Ms. Stephanie Yusi, and Analyst for the Statistical Analysis Unit Mr. John Ro Aaron Ramos. Their presence underscored the commitment of the Bureau of Customs to fostering international cooperation and optimizing risk management frameworks.
The primary objective of the WCO visit was to conduct a thorough Risk Management Stocktaking Mission for the Philippine Bureau of Customs, emphasizing the importance of effective risk management in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of customs operations. Effective risk management is crucial in customs operations as it enables the identification, assessment, and mitigation of potential risks associated with international trade, including illicit activities such as smuggling, trafficking, and the unlawful movement of goods across borders.
During their stay, the WCO representatives conducted in-depth discussions and assessments with Port of Cebu officials, including District Collector Atty. Ricardo U. Morales II, CESE, Subport of Mactan Coll. Gerardo A. Campo, LCB, Deputy Collector for Assessment Mr. Conrado M. Abarintos, Deputy Collector for Operations Atty. Danny J. Mella, Deputy Collector for Administration Ms. Shirley N. Abarintos, Assessment Division Chief Marc Henry B. Tan and Assistant Chief Julie Ann M. De Castro, Entry Processing Division Acting Assistant Chief Ms. Jessica D. Luzano, Port Control Office Head Mr. Edy Neil D. Camalongay, Law and Bonds Division Chief Atty. Erwin C. Andaya, LCB, JD, Administrative Division Acting Chief Ms. Maria Cleofe M. Calope, Officer-in-Charge for the Passenger Service of Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Terminal 2 International Arrivals Ms. Dimple Palm C. Perez, LCB, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) District Commander SP/Capt. Abdila S. Maulana Jr., X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP) Field Officer SP/Lt. Saripoden S. Mutin, Management Information Systems and Technology Group (MISTG) Site Manager Engr. Demosthenes D. Romero, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Intelligence Officer I Mr. Daryl L. Panulaya and Intelligence Officer I Ces Nicole R. Manquiquis, and Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Taskforce (CAIDTF) Member SAII Amiel B. Abayon. These discussions covered various aspects of risk management strategies and practices at the Port of Cebu, highlighting best practices and areas for improvement.
During their visit to the Cebu International Port, the WCO representatives received a thorough tour of the Designated Examination Area (DEA). They observed customs examiners and officials conducting physical examination of containers. Additionally, they witnessed the non-intrusive examination process using the Astrophysics Portal X-Ray Machine, a high-speed x-ray machine deployed at the port. Image analysts demonstrated the machine’s ability to detect the composition of items within scanned containers by switching color palettes, providing valuable insights for the WCO representatives.
One notable aspect of the visit was the recognition by the WCO representatives of the Port of Cebu’s unwavering commitment to quality customer service and client satisfaction. They commended the Port of Cebu for its proactive approach in addressing customer needs and ensuring a seamless trade experience. This acknowledgment reflects the Port of Cebu’s dedication to not only fulfilling its regulatory duties but also fostering harmonious relationships with stakeholders and facilitating legitimate trade.
District Collector Atty. Ricardo Uy Morales II, CESE, expressed his appreciation for the valuable insights shared by the WCO representatives during their visit. He emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and collaboration in advancing customs operations, stating, “The partnership with the World Customs Organization underscores our dedication to continuous improvement and adherence to global best practices in risk management. This mission represents a pivotal opportunity to strengthen our capabilities and better safeguard our borders while facilitating legitimate trade. Their expertise will significantly contribute to our ongoing efforts to enhance our operations and better serve our stakeholders. The collaborative efforts between the WCO experts and our dedicated team exemplify our steadfast dedication to advancing customs practices and fostering international partnerships.”
Under the leadership of District Collector Atty. Ricardo Uy Morales II, CESE, and with guidance from Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, the Port of Cebu remains committed to leveraging international partnerships and advancing its risk management capabilities for the improvement of its operations and processes to better serve its stakeholders and the nation. (Dexter Gatoc)
