The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) lauded the Bureau of Customs (BoC) for its stronger anti-smuggling efforts, trade modernization initiatives, and revenue performance, saying these measures are helping protect domestic businesses and support economic resilience.

FPI chairperson Elizabeth H. Lee said the BoC’s performance under Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has become a key support for Philippine businesses, particularly through intensified anti-smuggling operations and reforms aimed at making trade faster and more efficient.

The industry group highlighted the BoC’s interception of 34 containers of smuggled cigarettes worth P2.5 billion in May and June, saying the crackdown helped protect legitimate manufacturers from unfair competition while preventing losses in excise tax collections.

“Anti-smuggling efforts of this scale provide immediate protection to legitimate FPI members and domestic manufacturers who pay correct taxes and struggle against unfair, illicit competition,” Lee said.

She added that the enforcement drive not only protects local jobs and businesses but also safeguards government resources.

Beyond enforcement, FPI also recognized the BoC’s push for trade modernization through digital systems, including the Customs Processing System and National Single Window, which support paperless transactions and smoother trade facilitation.

“As the Philippines proudly ascends to Upper-Middle-Income Country status, this digital integration serves as a powerful launchpad to sharpen our global competitiveness,” Lee said.

“By enabling seamless, friction-free trade facilitation with our ASEAN partners, the BoC is actively positioning our country to attract high-value regional investments.”

The group also cited the creation of the Top Importers Office under Customs Memorandum Order No. 06-2026, which provides compliant businesses with a dedicated channel for transactions and reduces administrative delays.

FPI further recognized the BoC’s role in facilitating the country’s first direct export of Guimaras mangoes to the European Union through the Port of Iloilo, describing it as a milestone in expanding Philippine agricultural access to global markets.

Meanwhile, the bureau’s revenue performance remained a major highlight, collecting P86.073 billion in June alone, exceeding its monthly target by P2.853 billion. Its first-half collections reached P491.748 billion, surpassing the mid-year goal by P11.478 billion.

“These collections are incredibly critical right now as our nation navigates severe fiscal and economic shocks, both internal and external,” Lee said, noting that Customs revenues provide funding support for infrastructure, social programs and economic recovery efforts.