On 26 September 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., on behalf of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI), President Samuel Lee Uy actively participated in the joint discussion organized by the Bureau of Customs Integrity Working Group (BOC-IWG) and the World Customs Organization (WCO), focusing on the Integrity Development Measures of the BOC.
The discussion began with the welcome remarks by Ms. Rechilda Oquias, Head of the External Affairs Office of the BOC. The goal of the discussion to serve as a significant venue to delve deeper into integrity-related concerns that need to be resolved through the current initiatives of BOC was highlighted. The speech was immediately followed by the BOC-IWG presentation led by Ms. Lady Fatima Dela Cruz, Chief of the Planning and Policy Research Division. The presentation focused on the latest integrity development measures implemented by the BOC.
At the heart of the discussion, an open forum focusing on four (4) key questions related to Customs integrity was facilitated: (1) What are the provisions in Customs regulations that need improvement to avoid ambiguity, legal gaps, collision in policies, and/or excessive legal requirements? (2) What are the main integrity risks in core Customs processes? (3) What measures can be recommended to enhance transparency and accountability in the BOC? (4) Other feedback or suggestions with regard to anti-corruption and integrity initiatives of the BOC?
On behalf of CFBCI, President Samuel Lee Uy grasped the opportunity to commend the Bureau of Customs for its improved services, in particular, the expedited release of cargo in local ports which leads to a more efficient delivery of goods and services. In the past, the release of cargo usually took several days, even months in other cases, resulting in heightened expenses on the part of importers. Today, through the excellent leadership of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio and unmatched accommodation by Customs officials, the release of legitimate shipments only takes two to three days. This perception received warm appreciation from the BOC.
As an active member of the recently established Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC), the 400-strong membership of CFBCI vows to consistently collaborate with the Bureau to further enhance trade facilitation in the country. The discussion was a productive exchange of insights with everyone able to share their opinions and suggestions to the Bureau.
The discussion was formally sealed off with the Closing Remarks by the WCO Experts: Mr. Arman Zhalitov, Country and Project Lead of Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme of Kazakhstan, and Ms. Isil Emine, Directorate General of Turkish Customs. These experts expressed their utmost admiration of the current reforms being implemented by the Bureau, as well as its efforts to enhance public-private partnership, particularly, the establishment and continuous facilitation of monthly CICAC meetings.
Director John Simon of BOC also gave a closing address emphasizing the commitment of the Bureau in strengthening border control, enhancing trade facilitation, and improving collection of lawful revenues for the Bagong Pilipinas. As a business organization, CFBCI salutes the BOC for its hard work and innovations. Definitely, CFBCI is looking forward to participating in future discussions related to Customs administration and good governance.
菲華工商總會訊：本會理事長黃書瑋，於九月廿六日（星期四）上午，應邀出席參加由菲律濱海關局廉政工作小組（Bureau of Customs Integrity Working Group、簡稱：BOC-IWG）與世界海關組織（World Customs Organization、簡稱：WCO）所共同召開的會議，重點討論發展雙方誠信措施等相關事宜。
海關局外事辦公室主任Rechilda Oquias致歡迎詞時，強調了此次會議的目的是要深入探討，並且採取必要措施，以解決海關局當前所面臨的一些誠信相關問題。海關局規劃政策研究室主任Lady Fatima Dela Cruz，則在會中播放了菲律濱海關局廉政工作小組的介紹影片，影片中介紹了海關局目前所全面實施的最新建立誠信措施。
隨後，公開討論與海關誠信有關的四個關鍵問題：（一） 海關法規中有哪些條款需要修改，以避免模糊性、法律漏洞、政策衝突，以及或過多的法律規定？（二） 海關核心流程中的主要誠信風險有那些？（三）建議採取哪些措施來加強海關局的透明度和問責制？（四）有關海關反腐敗倡導工作的其他建議等。
理事長黃書瑋在會議中發言，讚揚海關局改善了其服務效率，特別是加快了貨物在當地港口的放行速度，並指出，過去貨物的放行通常需要數天，在其他情況下甚至需要數月，導致進口商的成本費用增加，而如今，在海關局長 Bienvenido Y. Rubio卓越的領導下，合法貨物的放行只需二至三天。
世界海關組織專家、亦為哈薩克加速貿易便利化計劃項目負責人Arman Zhalitov與土耳其海關署署長Isil Emine，均讚揚海關局目前正在實施的改革及其加強公私夥伴關係的努力，特別是每個月所舉辦的海關產業諮詢與顧問委員會（CICAC）會議。
海關局內部行政處處長西蒙 (John M. Simon) 在閉幕詞中，感謝大家在百忙中撥冗出席會議，並強調，海關局致力於加強邊境管制、提高貿易便利化和改善政府稅收。會議在所有與會人士達成多項共識後，圓滿順利結束。
圖片說明：
上圖：出席會議的全體與會人員合影留念。
下左圖：（左起）理事長黃書瑋與土耳其海關署署長Isil Emine，世界海關組織專家、亦為哈薩克加速貿易便利化計劃項目負責人Arman Zhalitov在會場合影。
下右圖：會議進行中。
