BOC, UNODC strengthen collaboration on hazardous waste controls across SE Asia
TO bolster regional defenses against illegal waste trafficking, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to conduct an intensive study visit on hazardous waste management.
Held recently at the Port of Manila (POM) and Manila International Container Port (MICP), the program brought together customs officials from across Southeast Asia to enhance technical expertise and share best practices for managing hazardous waste.
The three-day visit, part of UNODC’s Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP), centered on tackling the growing challenge of illegal hazardous waste imports and strengthening customs procedures. Representatives from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam joined BOC leaders in examining practical approaches to identifying, containing, and managing hazardous materials at major ports.
BOC District Collectors Rizalino Jose C. Torralba (MICP) and Alexander Gerard E. Alviar (POM) led a series of technical sessions showcasing BOC’s latest waste management and border security systems. Delegates observed seized containers of hazardous waste, toured the Customs Operations Center, and witnessed BOC’s advanced inspection technology, including state-of-the-art X-ray systems and container tracking innovations.
UNODC Regional Coordinator Thomas Dixon stressed that cooperation and capacity building are crucial to halting illegal hazardous waste trafficking. Technical Expert John Dourlay supported this, highlighting the importance of rigorous waste management protocols and cross-border partnerships.
Key BOC personnel, including Atty. Julito L. Doria, Chief of the Customs Operations Center, and Atty. Jenny P. Diokno, Chief of the Export Coordination Division, shared insights into BOC’s Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargoes System and other critical security measures.
“The BOC is committed to ensuring that hazardous waste is carefully regulated to protect both our environment and our citizens,” said BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio. “This collaboration reinforces our shared dedication to maintaining safe, secure borders across Southeast Asia.”
This study visit forms part of UNODC’s Hazardous Waste Project, aiming to empower customs authorities and law enforcement to prevent illegal waste trade and safeguard ecosystems across the region.
