Alignment of Customs Brokers’ Competencies to RA 10863 Standards as Input for Retooling Program
Authors:   St. Paul University-Manila, Mindanao Lamberto 
Published: October 2024

In this study, the researcher used the mixed-method design specifically applying the sequential exploratory research approach. This involved the use of document analysis and focus group discussion (FGD) among selected Customs Brokers of the Philippines. The procedure commenced with the preparation and validation of a survey questionnaire that was administered to the Customs Brokers in determining categories and selected collection districts of the Philippines. For the qualitative phase, the researcher used document analysis and focus group discussions. There were nine (9) participants for FGD and one hundred forty-six (146) respondents for the survey, a total of one hundred fifty-five (155) sources. Participants were selected based on their areas of engagement. Percentage, frequency distribution, weighted mean, and ANOVA were used in presenting the data to evaluate the extent of the problem. Based on the data gathered and analyzed, customs brokers are moderately competent to implement RA 10863/CMTA in customs administration. They have moderate knowledge, ability, and attitude relative to customs administration prescribed by the CMTA. Customs Brokers has the highest competencies in the following: customs and supply chain management; ability to interact and negotiate; and ethics and integrity. The test revealed that customs brokers, who are now on their 15 to less than 20 years in the customs industry, have significantly lower overall competence. The results clearly show that Customs Brokers from the outports have significantly lower overall competence than those from the Manila ports, those working in the Academe, and those in the private firms. Based on the findings, the researcher concluded that Customs Brokers’ knowledge, ability, and attitude align with the standards of the CMTA to a moderate extent. Customs Brokers, therefore, are important components to re-tool the Philippine Bureau of Customs. Customs brokers possess the highest competencies in the following: customs and supply chain management; ability to interact and negotiate; and ethics and integrity but need improvement in economic, finance, and information and data management. Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the following recommendations were drawn: alignment of customs brokers’ and customs administrators’ competencies with the standards of regional and global Philippines’ commitments; inclusion of customs brokers financial capability as one of the considerations in competency assessment; hiring of professional customs brokers in BOC positions as a matter of priority and policy; systematic and strategic competency enhancement training for members of CCBI in the outports and for the aging members that need updates and trends; implementation of the Re-Tooling Program formulated based upon the findings of this study and a systematic evaluation for the purpose; cooperation among CCBI, PRB-CB, HEIs to promote the use of the Re-Tooling Program in the professionalization and modernization of the Philippines’ customs administration.