MANILA -- Experts from the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the National Customs Trade Facilitation Champions conducted their 2nd virtual workshop in June 2021.

The workshop is part of the program for the development of the National Customs Trade Facilitation Champions, who are expected to help promote and drive the trade facilitation agenda within the Customs administration. They will become main contact points both internally and externally amongst all relevant stakeholders in relation to trade facilitation and WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) matters.

The series of workshop aims to equip the Champion with enhanced knowledge and understanding, and from a practical multi-agency application perspective, of current trade facilitation technical measures, particularly those associated with the WTO TFA, which entered into force in February 2017.

The Philippine National Customs TF Champions are composed of Atty. Noemi A. Garcia, Acting Chief, Planning and Policy Research Division; Atty. Julito L. Doria, Acting Chief, Prosecution and Litigation Division; Atty. Christopher M. Inducil, Chief, Valuation and Classification Division; Christian R. Tibo, Supervising Customs Operations Officer, Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group; Genilyn D. Minardo, Customs Operations Officer V, Post Clearance Audit Group; and Atty. Nicolas R. Kyamko III, Attorney II, Port of Manila.

The second workshop focused on TFA technical measures and some exercises on planning a TFA awareness raising workshop and development of national roadmap for TFA implementation. The first workshop happened in February 2021. (BOC)