Customs collections up around the country

THE Bureau of Customs has been embroiled in so many negative reports over the years – the alleged corruption that kept it from meeting its collection goals, the unexplained disappearance of hundreds of container vans with unknown shipments, the non-payment of correct taxes and other fees, the interception of two shipments of shabu valued at 16.4 billion in two Valenzuela City warehouses, and, only last week, the discovery of magnetic scrap lifters at the Manila International Container Port used to smuggle in 13.4 billion worth of shabu.

Last Tuesday, there was very good news from the bureau for a change. It reported that for the seventh consecutive month, it had exceeded its monthly revenue target. It collected 151.739 billion – over 12 billion and 4.7 percent above its August target of 149.321 billion.

The top ports with the highest percentage of collection increase were: Tacloban, 363.4%, 1102 million; Davao, 51.4%, 12.4 billion; San Fernando, 47%, 1397 million; Surigao, 46.6%, 12 million; Aparri, 43.7%, 17 million; Iloilo, 41.1%, 138 million; Legaspi, 40%, 133 million; and Cagayan de Oro, 37.1%, 11.913 billion.

Next in the list were Limay, 14.2%, 13.435 billion; Batangas, 11.2%, 112.716 billion; Manila, 5.1%, 17.81 billion; Clark, 13.1%, 1147 million; Cebu, 12.9%,

12.513 billion; Zamboanga, 1.2%, 124 million; and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), 0.2 percent, 13.106 billion.

Manila International Container Port had the biggest collection this month among all the ports – 114.782 billion – but this was slightly below its target of 115.237 billion. Subic also missed its August goal; it collected 11.48 billion, below its target

11.778 billion. It is said that part of the reason for the improved collection record of the various ports was the increase in import values, notably those of diesel and other fuels, as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law went into effect last January. TRAIN imposed a tariff on diesel where there was none before.

The value and volume of importations was also reported to have gone up. We are now at that time of the year leading to the Christmas season when imports traditionally go up. We can thus expect importations to keep rising in the coming months.

But the key factor may have been the onestrike policy instituted by new Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña for the top customs officials, who were warned they would be replaced if they missed their respective targets. If there was any tendency towards loose supervision of customs operations in the ports in the past, the one-strike policy must have encouraged port collectors to truly enforce customs rules and regulations for their own survival.

We hope this major change in the Bureau of Customs will continue its beneficent effects on customs collections, in view of the great need for funds to finance the great infrastructure program of the administration. It is also, we trust, an indication of the change in government operations in general as a result of the President’s avowed drive against corruption.