Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go affirmed his full support for the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC’s) continuing reform and modernization efforts during a meeting with Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno and the Bureau’s leadership during his first command conference on November 28, 2025.
The meeting underscored the Department of Finance’s (DOF) commitment to strengthening Customs’ transformation programs and sustaining the agency’s momentum in improving revenue performance, enforcement operations, trade facilitation, and public service delivery.
During the meeting, the BOC reported its key accomplishments for 2025, citing progress in revenue collection, anti-smuggling operations, trade facilitation, and initiatives that strengthen transparency and good governance. Commissioner Nepomuceno also outlined the reforms undertaken under his leadership, including measures to enhance operational integrity, upgrade digital systems, improve communication platforms, and expand services for stakeholders.
One of the highlights of the conference was the urgent resolution of pending balikbayan box shipments, a matter Secretary Go emphasized as a top priority. He directed the BOC to take immediate action and pledged the DOF’s full support to ensure that all pending shipments are cleared and delivered to the families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Secretary Go is likewise committed to supporting the BOC’s infrastructure and modernization needs, stressing that the BOC, being a trillion-peso revenue-generating agency, must have adequate facilities, systems, and resources to fulfill its mandate effectively. He expressed support for efforts to secure funding for a new customs headquarters and other essential operational requirements, noting that modern infrastructure is crucial to enabling efficient, secure, and technology-driven customs services.
Commissioner Nepomuceno thanked Secretary Go for his guidance and support and reaffirmed the BOC’s commitment to the reform agenda. “We deeply appreciate Secretary Go’s leadership and continued support,” he said. “The Bureau of Customs remains fully committed to working closely with him, advancing our modernization efforts, and delivering a more transparent, efficient, and service-oriented customs administration for the Filipino people.”
Beyond performance updates, discussions also touched on organizational improvements, inter-agency collaboration, policy alignment, and administrative matters essential to sustaining long-term institutional reforms. Both sides agreed on the need for stronger coordination and continuous modernization to meet evolving trade and enforcement demands.
Go reaffirmed the DOF’s full support to the BOC as it advances its reform agenda. He commended the BOC’s ongoing efforts and emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity, efficiency, and professionalism in all operations as the agency continues to strengthen border protection, facilitate legitimate trade, and enhance public trust.
