The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has ordered all ports nationwide to intensify monitoring of oil imports and fuel inventory levels as tensions involving United States, Israel and Iran raise concerns over possible disruptions in global supply.
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno directed port officials to closely track oil shipments entering the country and assess fuel stock levels within their jurisdictions.
Under the directive, district ports must submit regular reports on oil import arrivals and inventory levels. The data will be consolidated and presented during the bureau’s weekly collection meetings to keep the commissioner updated on the country’s supply situation.
To strengthen oversight, Nepomuceno also ordered the creation of the Bureau of Customs Oil Inventory Level (BOC-OIL) Task Force, which will coordinate with the Department of Energy and the Bureau of Internal Revenue in monitoring oil depots, bulk storage terminals and other petroleum facilities nationwide.
The task force, headed by BOC official Allen Dela Cruz with Victor Pablo C. Trinidad as member, will conduct inspections and validate reports submitted by district ports through document reviews and field checks.
The move follows reports of missile attacks affecting key infrastructure in the region and the temporary shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route.
“Given the current developments, it is important for the Bureau to closely track the movement of oil importations and monitor available inventory levels so we can provide relevant updates and ensure preparedness for any potential supply disruptions,” Nepomuceno said.
The BOC said the initiative aims to ensure transparency in the country’s oil importation and supply levels and support economic stability amid uncertain global conditions.
