• Customs collection target trimmed to P598 B

The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) adjusted downward the 2018 target of the Bureau of Customs to P598 billion from the original target of P627 billion, according to Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña.

During the Clean Forum at the Manila Hotel yesterday, Lapeña said the BOC is targeting to collect P598 billion this year, still higher than the agency’s P467 billion target in 2017.

“Maybe the P627 billion first released had some adjustments. I don’t know the reason, maybe it’s in the (DBCC’s) evaluation,” he said.

Asked if the watered down provisions of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act could be part of the reason for the adjustment, Lapeña said “maybe.”

According to Lapeña, he is optimistic the bureau would meet its new target this year.

“We can hit that target,” he said.

The BOC, he said has implemented immediate reforms to prevent corruption and ensure the correct valuation of shipments that come into the country.

Lapeña expressed confidence the government would be able to raise revenues and bankroll its programs, including the proposed doubling of salary of public school teachers.

“It’s possible (to raise revenue for the salary increase). Because this is what happens, so much revenue is lost because of the corruption that is going on,” he said.

“The salary of teachers can be covered by these collection of revenues, if there is properly declared valuation,” he said.

According to estimates from the Department of Budget and Management, doubling the pay of some 880,000 public school teachers may require an additional budget of P343.7 billion.

This would double the personnel services cost for the teaching position to P724.8 billion from the current P381.1 billion under the 2018 General Appropriations Act.