On 27 May 2024 (12 noon), Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) attended the 4th Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) Meeting at the headquarters of Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) in Binondo, Manila. On behalf of CFBCI, President Samuel Lee Uy, Director Gilbert Kua Yan Yee, Corporate Secretary Henry Go, Vice Chairman Ramon Uy, Vice Chairman Jimmy Ang, and Plenary Member Nixon Co attended the meeting.

At least 300 attendees graced the meeting which is also the 1st CICAC General Assembly. Bureau of Customs (BoC) Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio who is also the Chairman of the Council sat at a long table along with the pertinent officials of BoC. Beside him was FFCCCII President, Cecilio K. Pedro, officials from the Department of Finance, and several officers of FFCCCII. The attendees first enjoyed a luncheon at the 7th Floor Auditorium of FFCCCII, then proceeded to the 8th Floor Plenary Hall for the meeting.

In his welcome remarks, President Pedro expressed his organization’s utmost support to the CICAC especially in mobilizing industry groups to help the community thus emphasizing the FFCCCII mantra of “dugong Tsino, pusong Pinoy.” For President Pedro, CICAC is a useful tool in looking at avenues to enhance the economy, importation, and taxation. “Moving forward is the key,” he said. CFBCI President Samuel Lee Uy agrees with this statement, adding that “we must move forward together towards a brighter future.”

BoC Director John M. Simon also gave a short explanation of the historical significance of Binondo in terms of trade facilitation and customs management. “Even before the Spaniards came, we already have a thriving customs industry in Manila Chinatown led by our Chinese brothers and sisters,” the Director said. Upon hearing this story, the crowd realized that holding the 4th CICAC Meeting in Binondo carries a blessing from our ancestors.

Afterwards, several issues arising from the minutes of the last meeting were discussed including the update on the letter of offer of assistance from the industry on the legal case, and the schedule of activities on the implementation of the ATA Carnet Program. The meeting also paved the way for the discussion of requested issues of the participating industry groups. All topics were discussed with rich attention of the Commissioner and concerned officials from BoC. Among the pressing issues discussed is the reduction of the cost of cargo clearance in the Philippines; in response, Commissioner Rubio called for the immediate need to identify the factors that cause the high cost of clearance by utilizing a whole government approach.

The meeting ended successfully with all participants satisfied with their concerns. The 5th CICAC Meeting will be hosted by our organization and will be attended by 20 Foreign Chambers of Commerce. The turnover of the Manifesto of Support to the Department of Finance will be also conducted during the next meeting.

菲華工商總會訊：海關產業諮詢和顧問委員會（Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council簡稱CICAC）首次會員大會暨第四次會議，於五月廿七日（星期一）中午假座菲華商聯總會隆重召開。本會理事長黃書瑋率領董事柯仁義，立案秘書吳恆利，常務理事顏漢龍、洪海濱，理事許純維及英文秘書梅西卡代表本會出席會議。當天共有兩百多位商會及企業代表，為推動海關改革和促進國家進步而齊聚一堂。

會議開始，菲華商聯總會理事長施東方博士致歡迎詞，他表示菲華商聯總會將全力支持海關產業諮詢和顧問委員會，並讚揚海關局在改革方面的領導作用。同時指出，CICAC是提升經濟、進口和稅收途徑的重要窗口，幫助促進本國貿易和商業發展。為表謝意，商總贈送海關局局長(Bienvenido Y. Rubio)一份謝禮，以顯示其堅定不移的支持。

海關局處長John M. Simon在會中簡要介紹了岷倫洛在菲律濱貿易和海關行業所扮演的重要角色，並指出，早在西班牙人來到菲律濱之前，馬尼拉唐人街就已經有了一個由華人所領導的繁榮海關行業。

隨後由主席、亦為海關局局長比恩韋尼多‧盧比奧親自主持，召開第四次會議，當天討論的議題包括：以簡化通關流程，實現收入目標，並解決行業特定的挑戰，如相關產業司法案件的協助請求函、實施暫准進口證計劃（ATA Carnet Program）時間表及降低貨物清關成本等。盧比奧局長當場指示有關部門找出造成清關費用高昂的因素，並且詳細答覆與會人士提出的各項問題。

會議結束前，盧比奧局長強調了合作對於改善海關管理的重要性： 「我們相信，我們能夠相互指導，抓住海關和貿易界改進和進步的機會。」他補充說，海關局將繼續努力實現反應敏捷、有效的海關管理，滿足業界的期望，並保護國家和菲律濱人民的利益。今天這個歷史性的會議，不僅為未來的合作奠定了基礎，而且標誌著菲律濱海關管理更高效和透明的進程中的一個重要里程碑。
活動最後，全體與會人士在會場合影留念。第五次海關產業諮詢和顧問委員會（CICAC）會議將訂於七月初旬召開，屆時將由本會主辦。該次會議將邀請二十多個菲律濱海外商會派代表出席參加，盛況可期。

圖片說明：
上左圖：向盧比奧局長移交廿五位海關產業諮詢和顧問委員會成員的支持宣言。該宣言旨在協助海關局進行現代化改革。
上右圖：（前排左起）柯仁義，洪海濱，顏漢龍；（後排左起）吳恆利，黃書瑋，許純維。
下圖：出席海關產業諮詢和顧問委員會首次會員大會暨第四次會議的全體賓客在會場合影留念。