The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippine Mercator Programme during a recent meeting with the World Customs Organization (WCO). The WCO paid a courtesy call to BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio to discuss the program and various trade facilitation measures.
The meeting aimed to reconfirm previous discussions between the BOC and WCO and to ensure that Commissioner Rubio is fully onboard with the program. Ms. Donia Hammami, Head of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme at the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs-WCO-United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (HMRC-WCO-UNCTAD), and Mr. Stephen Muller, a Time Release Study (TRS) and Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) expert, were in attendance.
During the meeting, discussions centered on various BOC projects on Customs Organizational Development and TFA Technical Measures, with the WCO providing inputs on their effective implementation to achieve results. Ms. Hammami praised the BOC’s commitment to the program, highlighting the agency’s leadership in demonstrating that remote engagements are possible even during the pandemic.
The Mercator Programme reflects the commitment of the global Customs community to trade facilitation, particularly the structured and harmonized approach to implementing the TFA, utilizing WCO instruments and standards.
The meeting covered Customs Organizational Development projects, including the National Customs Trade Facilitation Champions, Competency-based Human Resource Management, Integrity Development, Leadership and Management Development, and Gender Inclusivity. The discussion also delved into TFA Technical Measures, specifically the Time Release Study, Expedited Shipment – Air Cargo Streamlining, Authorized Economic Operator Program, Risk Management, and the National Customs Enforcement Network.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from both the BOC and WCO to work together towards the successful implementation of the Philippine Mercator Programme and TFA Technical Measures, which will ultimately benefit the Philippine economy and its people.#

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