The Bureau of Customs asked its Southeast Asian counterparts to consider the World Customs Organization Mercator program designed to foster integrity and transparency across all customs operations.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio highlighted the benefits of the WCO Mercator program, particularly in terms of promoting integrity, during the 32nd Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs in Pattaya, Thailand.
Drawing on Manila’s own experience with the program, Rubio mentioned the importance of diagnostic tools that help identify potential integrity issues and recommend solutions.
To further promote transparency and integrity in customs operations throughout the ASEAN region, Rubio urged his counterparts to take advantage of the WCO Mercator program.
Rubio cited the importance of ethical customs practices and the need to maintain high standards of integrity in all customs administrations in Southeast Asia.
He said that in the area of customs procedures and trade facilitation, he noted the accessibility of the Time Release Study through the WCO CLiKC! e-learning platform.
Recognizing the crucial role of the TRS in promoting efficient customs procedures, Rubio then called for increased collaboration with the private sector and other stakeholders in accessing this valuable resource.
Rubio earlier affirmed the bureau’s continued collaboration with the WCO in its bid to achieve a customs administration that is at par with global standards.
The commitment came after WCO representatives paid a courtesy call to Rubio where they discussed the program and various trade facilitation measures under the Mercator program.