BoC exceeds revenue goal for January

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) exceeded its target collections for the third month in a row in January on the back of its anti-smuggling campaign.

In January, the BoC collected a total of P35.745 billion, up 15% from a year earlier, and exceeding the revenue target of P35.509 billion.

According to the BoC, 11 of its 17 ports exceeded revenue targets, which contributed to the higher overall collections this month.

Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon said the bureau’s anti-corruption and anti-smuggling efforts led to greater trust among stakeholders, resulting in better collection performance.

“Our relentless consultations with the transacting public, including that of BoC personnel, on continuous improvement of policy reforms and programs have built public trust that, in effect, created a conducive environment especially in transparent trade facilitation and in the work performance of our employees,” said Mr. Faeldon in a statement.

“From the beginning, we worked hard to accomplish our tasks, especially to improve revenue collections, stop corruption, and wipe out smuggling as inspired by our mandate and in compliance with the directives of President [Rodrigo R.] Duterte,” he said.

Recently, the commissioner blacklisted 71 importers and brokers who were found to have multiple violations of the Customs Code.

Mr. Faeldon said previously that he will revoke more import permits, as his team is continuing to review trade records to unearth illicit trade.

The BoC also reported that one of its largest ports — the Manila International Container Port (MICP) — almost achieved its target as it posted a 99.1% collection performance in the same month.

Mr. Faeldon meanwhile said that he is optimistic that MICP’s performance will hit 100% after the bureau consolidates its reports with the Bureau of Treasury. —