NEDA Western Visayas Regional Director Arecio A. Casing, Jr. received appreciation from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Collection District VI – Port of Iloilo for his invaluable contribution as member of the Port of Iloilo’s Multi-Sector Advisory Council. Ms. Marian Therese M. Pamonag, OIC-Chief of the Development Research Division of NEDA VI, received the award on his behalf. The said recognition was given during the BOC’s Stakeholders’ Night held on April 4, 2023 at the JR Hall of the Diversion 21 Hotel in Iloilo City.

Engr. Casing is one of only three Multi-Sector Advisory Council members who were awarded that evening together with Atty. Jerilee Uy-Conlu, General Manager of the Conlu Customs Brokerage, and OIC Regional Director Ermelinda P. Pollentes of the Department of Trade and Industry-VI.

Other awardees that evening include the Top 10 Importers for 2022, Top 3 Customs Brokers for 2022, Top Exporter for 2022, and Partner Agencies (Government and Private). Customs Commissioner Bievenido Y. Rubio, assisted by District Collector Ciriaco DG. Ugay of the BOC, was personally present to grace the affair and present the plaques and certificates to the honorees.

The BOC Stakeholders’ Night followed the outstanding performance of the Port of Iloilo for the First Quarter of 2023. For three straight months, it hit and surpassed its collection targets and collected a total of PHP446 Million for March with PHP43.36 Million or 10.77 percent over the month’s target of PHP402.65 Million. The Port of Iloilo also generated an actual cumulative collection of PHP1.089 Billion, exceeding its first quarter target of PHP1.045 Billion by 4.18 percent.