Representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have picked a new chairman to supervise its forthcoming projects and activities.

Philippines was chosen with the election of Bureau of Customs Deputy Commissioner Ma. Caridad P. Manarang, as the new ASW Steering Committee chair.

Three countries were considered to Chair the ASW Steering Committee: Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines. Brunei begged off while Malaysia expressed that they will go along with the majority choice.

ASW is a component of the progressive schemes on customs development shared by nations within the ASEAN perimeter of responsibility. Among its pivotal role is the formulation and implementation of rules and procedures for trade facilitation.

Representatives meet regularly to brief their ASEAN counterparts on the business arrangements on the adoption of their chosen agenda.

Activities and work program of the ASW Steering Committee are tackled as proposed by the ASEAN Secretariat and thresh out the terms of reference on regulatory matters, standardization of data and documentation, business process and work flow and its application.

Other areas of concern are the capacity building program and pilot projects to be conducted where member countries may wish to discuss implementation of pilot projects of ASW with the support of ASEAN dialogue partners.

The Philippines being chosen to chair the Steering Committee is a manifestation of the confidence of the other ASEAN Member States in the capability of the Bureau of Customs under the leadership of Commissioner Rufino B. Biazon.

The Steering Committee Meeting and election of its Chair was held last April 24-26, 2012 in Singapore.

The Philippine BOC Delegates to the Asean Single Window Steering Committee Meeting with (L-R): Dennis Pantastico – Senior Technical Advisor of Nathan Associates, Kissinger V. Reyes – Director MISTG Bureau of Customs and Head Delegate for the ASW Technical Working Group, Ma. Caridad P. Manarang – Deputy Commissioner MISTG Bureau of Customs and Chairperson of the ASW Steering Committee, Salvador “Badz” Aque – Member ASEAN Secretariat, Atty. Simplicio “Jojoy” Domingo – Director Legal Services Bureau of Customs and Chairperson of the ASW Legal Working Group