In a bid to strengthen the government’s fight against smuggling, undervaluation, and the entry of substandard imported products, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) have signed a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to deepen cooperation between the public and private sectors.
The agreement was signed in Makati City by Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno and FPI Chairperson Elizabeth H. Lee, marking a renewed partnership between the BOC and one of the country’s leading industrial organizations.
Under the new MOA, accredited Industry Technical Experts (ITEs) from the FPI will be authorized to assist the BOC in conducting physical and documentary inspections of high-risk shipments in major ports such as Manila, Cebu, Davao, Subic, and Batangas. The BOC is mandated to act on the official reports submitted by these ITEs within seven (7) days of receipt, ensuring faster coordination and stronger enforcement against illicit trade.
The agreement also mandates broader monitoring coverage, improved data sharing, and the establishment of a Joint Monitoring Committee that will meet quarterly to evaluate implementation, assess performance, and publish an annual report of accomplishments and compliance results.
Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized the importance of the partnership, saying: “This agreement strengthens our collaboration with industry stakeholders to prevent the entry of illegal and substandard products, safeguard consumer welfare, and promote fair competition in the market.”
The agreement also outlines key safeguards on data privacy, confidentiality, and conflict-of-interest disclosures, ensuring that the participation of private-sector experts will remain transparent and accountable. Any breach of confidentiality or misuse of information will result in the immediate revocation of accreditation and potential legal action.
The Joint Monitoring Committee will develop performance metrics — including the number of flagged shipments, seizures, and compliance rates — and will oversee the publication of an annual consolidated report highlighting the results of the cooperation.
The MOA will remain in effect for three years from its signing, renewable upon mutual consent of both parties.
Aside from operational cooperation, both the BOC and FPI agreed to continue discussions on several policy matters, including declaring smuggling a non-bailable offense, empowering affected companies to file criminal complaints, and addressing court injunctions involving product standards and trade enforcement.
With the strengthened partnership, both the BOC and FPI reaffirmed their shared goal of ensuring a fair, competitive, and transparent trading environment for the Philippine manufacturing sector.
