Newly-minted Bureau of Customs (BoC) commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said Sunday that his primary directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are to enhance revenue collection and overhaul the agency’s internal processes.
In a radio interview, Nepomuceno stressed that agency reforms must begin at the top, citing that changes in leadership have already started.
He added that he will be closely evaluating the performance of port collectors across the country.
Nepomuceno also cited the urgency of overhauling outdated systems and ensuring public service is delivered with discipline and transparency.
Earlier last week, Nepomuceno’s first official directive as Customs chief was to suspend all unserved Letters of Authority (LoAs) and Mission Orders (MOs) issued before 2 July 2025.
This suspension was prompted by increasing complaints from business groups regarding questionable raids and excessive enforcement actions.
He also ordered all relevant deputy commissioners to submit a detailed status report on LoAs and MOs issued between 1 January and 30 June 2025 as this move aims to review the legality and proper documentation of these operations to prevent potential abuse and ensure accountability.
“This directive is a necessary reset,” Nepomuceno said. “We must ensure that every enforcement action moving forward is legal, current, and in line with the bureau’s renewed focus on professionalism, transparency, and institutional accountability.”
The reforms align with Marcos’ broader directive to professionalize government agencies and uphold legal standards in the country’s anti-smuggling campaign.