The Manila International Container Port (MICP) held its first Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) meeting for 2025 last Wednesday at Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila.

It brought together 32 members, including eight recently admitted member groups. Under the direction of MICP district collector Rizalino Torralba, the event highlighted the Bureau of Customs’ (BoC) commitment to enhancing cooperation with industry participants.

During the conference, Torralba reported the MICP’s strong collection performance. With a total collection of P20.023 billion in January 2025, the agency surpassed its goal by 3 percent, or P596 million.

“Our success is a result of the collective efforts of our stakeholders and the men and women of MICP. This momentum not only supports economic stability but also funds vital public services,” Torralba said, expressing his gratitude to all contributors.

The CICAC meeting focused on customs operations, policy reforms and improving trade facilitation, with active discussions on streamlining processes and ensuring regulatory compliance.

To achieve the February 2025 goal, Torralba expressed optimism and urged further cooperation to carry out the BoC’s primary missions of increasing revenue collection, enhancing trade facilitation and fortifying border security.