BOC officer receives international recognition

A Bureau of Customs (BOC) officer earned international recognition for research on trusted semiconductor supply chains, the Bureau said Sunday.

Rhoan P. Escarmosa, LCB, Customs Operations Officer III assigned to the Port of Manila and concurrently serving at the Office of the Commissioner, received recognition for one of the Best Research Papers during the Philippine Technology Policy (PTP) Fellowship, implemented by Pacific Forum with the support of the United States Department of State.

Her award-winning paper, “Beyond Border Control: Customs as a Strategic Partner of Trusted Semiconductor Supply Chains in the Philippines,” explores how Customs can play a greater role in supporting national economic priorities through trade facilitation, supply-chain security, regulatory coordination, and enhanced competitiveness in strategic industries.

The recognition highlights not only Escarmosa’s individual achievement but also the BOC’s growing contribution to policy development and international discussions on trade, technology, and economic security. It demonstrates how the operational experience and technical expertise of customs professionals can generate valuable insights that support both institutional modernization and national development.

Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno lauded Escarmosa for bringing distinction to the BOC through her achievement.

"Her achievement demonstrates that our people have the expertise, insight, and dedication to represent the Philippines well and contribute to important global discussions that impact trade and economic growth,” he said.

The study emphasizes the importance of customs modernization, digital trade systems, risk-based border management, trusted trader programs, and stronger collaboration between government and industry in positioning the Philippines as a reliable partner in global semiconductor supply chains.

It also underscores the need to balance trade facilitation with export-control compliance and other measures that safeguard the integrity and security of international trade.

As part of the fellowship, Escarmosa joined fellow Filipino professionals in a two-week study visit to the United States, where they engaged with representatives from the U.S. Department of State, policy institutions, industry organizations, and semiconductor stakeholders.

The engagement provided opportunities to exchange perspectives on emerging technologies, supply-chain resilience, economic security, and strategies for strengthening the Philippines’ position in the global semiconductor sector.

Building on the fellowship experience, the BOC is exploring opportunities to translate the knowledge, policy insights, and networks gained from the program into practical institutional initiatives, including knowledge-sharing activities, policy and industry dialogues, capacity-building efforts, and deeper engagement with semiconductor firms and other export-oriented industries.