15/08/2026
Philippine Delegation Showcases Customs Education at International Congress
KAYSERI, Türkiye —The Philippine delegation from Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation of Canaman Cam Sur brought Philippine customs education to an international academic platform during the ARCENG V. International Social Sciences Congress, presenting a study on the crucial partnership between higher education institutions and the Bureau of Customs Port of Legazpi.
The delegation—Mhie A. Rosales, Ronald Jr. R. Ponpon, Jenny H. Ramirez, Danellie C. Llamas, and Arvy Noleal Osma—presented the paper, “Strengthening Customs Education at MPCF–Canaman and MPCI–Naga: An Assessment of Bureau of Customs Port of Legazpi–Academe Linkages Supporting BSCA Student Training and Exposure.”The study was included in Session 1, Hall 5 of the online congress program held on 15 August 2026 in Kayseri, Türkiye.
A Philippine Voice
As the sole Philippine-affiliated presentation listed in the program, the delegation placed the experiences of MPCF–Canaman and MPCI–Naga alongside research contributions from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Morocco, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, and Germany. The participation underscores the growing visibility of Philippine higher education institutions in international research conversations on workforce preparation, digital transformation, education, and social development.
The presentation focused on the value of sustained institutional collaboration between the academe and the Bureau of Customs Port of Legazpi. Such partnerships are central to helping BS Customs Administration students connect classroom knowledge with operational realities in customs administration, trade facilitation, port processes, border management, and professional practice.
Bridging Theory and Practice
The study highlights how structured academe–industry linkages can strengthen student training and professional exposure. For Customs Administration programs, engagement with a major government agency such as the Bureau of Customs enables students to better understand the standards, competencies, procedures, and ethical responsibilities required in an evolving customs environment.
By examining the support extended through the Port of Legazpi–academe linkage, the research contributes practical evidence for improving experiential learning initiatives. It also offers a model that other institutions may adapt in building stronger relationships with government agencies, industry partners, and professional stakeholders.
International Research Engagement
The ARCENG V. program brought together a broad range of research areas, including artificial intelligence, digital banking, public administration, environmental education, literature, psychology, economics, and technology. Within this multidisciplinary setting, the Philippine paper advanced an important applied perspective: that quality customs education is strengthened when universities and frontline public institutions work together to prepare graduates for real-world service.
For Mariners Canaman the delegation’s participation reflects an institutional commitment to research-led instruction, internationalization, and evidence-based program development. It also affirms the relevance of regional initiatives in Bicol to wider conversations on trade, customs modernization, and higher education quality.
A Shared Commitment
More than a conference presentation, the Philippine delegation’s participation represents a shared commitment among faculty-researchers, academic leaders, and customs stakeholders to develop competent, practice-ready, and socially responsive BS Customs Administration graduates.
Through their research, Rosales, Ponpon, Ramirez, Llamas, and Osma demonstrated that meaningful collaboration between the Bureau of Customs Port of Legazpi and the academe can serve as a strategic foundation for strengthening student exposure, enriching professional preparation, and advancing customs education in the Philippines.
