The Philippine Tax Academy – Customs Institute (PTA-CI) held a meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Bureau of Customs – Learning and Development Management Office (BOC-LDMO) on May 20, 2026 at the PTA office, EDPC Building, Roxas Boulevard, Manila, to strengthen its training collaboration for 2026.

The meeting was attended by 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐍𝐨𝐞𝐦𝐢 𝐁. 𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐚-𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚 and 𝐃𝐫. 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐁. 𝐏𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐨, Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the PTA-CI; 𝐌𝐫. 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐮, JICA Expert; 𝐌𝐬. 𝐊𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐕. 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐨, Head of BOC-LDMO; and other representatives from PTA-CI and BOC-LDMO.

Key discussions focused on the Training Plans of the BOC-LDMO and PTA-CI, as well as possible areas of collaboration among the CI, BOC, and JICA toward strengthening customs capacity building and professional development initiatives. The participation of key experts from Japan Customs in the joint trainings was also suggested. Likewise, possible utilization of other learning platforms, including those of the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) CLiKC app, which gives access to WCO courses and learning, was also discussed. Initially, a Training of Trainers course is being eyed as a major collaboration that could be implemented in August or September of this year.

JICA, through Mr. Katsu, has been a training partner of PTA-CI for the past three (3) years. Mr. Katsu also spearheaded the implementation of the 2024 Workshop on Training Management in Japan, which was attended by the CI Chancellor and Vice Chancellor, together with representatives from the BOC-LDMO.