Under Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 05-2026, signed by Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno on April 6, 2026, APECO is now authorized to accredit importers and exporters for CPRS activation.
Mandatory registration system
The order amends CMO No. 19-2019 and places APECO alongside other key economic zone regulators in the country.
“This development is expected to unlock pending investments and fast-track decision-making among our prospective locators,” said APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV, noting that some investors had awaited formal recognition before proceeding, particularly those with import-export requirements.
The CPRS is a mandatory registration system for businesses transacting with the BOC. Previously, locators needed to coordinate with multiple agencies, often delaying operations.
‘Gateway to the Pacific’
With the new policy, APECO can directly facilitate CPRS accreditation, enabling faster activation and smoother customs processes.
Taway expressed gratitude to the BOC and the Department of Finance, led by Secretary Frederick D. Go, for strengthening inter-agency coordination and supporting investment promotion.
The move reinforces APECO’s ambition to become the country’s “Gateway to the Pacific,” positioning it as a strategic hub for trade, logistics, and emerging industries serving the Asia-Pacific region.--- Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
