BOC collection deficit balloons to billion

The cash collection of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the government’s second largest revenue agency, swung to the highest-ever deficit of 9.1 billion in August since President Aquino assumed office in 2010.

The initial collection report, a copy of which was obtained by Manila Bulletin, showed that the BOC generated 26.8 billion, which is way below its target of 35.9 billion for the month.

“The volume of import was low,” the source of the document cited as the culprit behind the revenue slump.

Last month was challenging for the bureau since August is a “ghost” month as businesses are believed to be traditionally slow, thus, shipments for the period are down than any month of the year.

Making things worse for the BOC, it topped the list of the most corrupt government office during the period in the aftermath of the agency’s supposed plan to physically inspect balikbayan boxes that drew the ire of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.

The source, however, said that the negative public perception on BOC had “nothing to do with the revenue collections.”

Thirteen of the BOC’s 17 collection districts nationwide missed their revenue targets, with all the so-called billionaire ports leading the pack of those, which incurred shortfalls.

The same report said that Port of Limay, an oil port, posted the highest deficit of 2 billion after it only collected 1.7 billion as against its target of billion.

In Metro Manila, the Manila International Container Port (MICP) incurred the highest shortfall of 1.9 billion followed by the Port of Manila (POM), and Ninoy Aquino International Port (NAIA), with 1.7 billion and 800 million, respectively.

The Port of Batangas, another oil port, fell short of its 7.9-billion target for its collection of 6.4 billion while the Port of Subic had a deficit of 263 million last month.

Collection shortfalls were also recorded in San Fernando, Davao, Cagayan De Oro, Aparri, Zamboanga, Surigao, and Tacloban.

On the other hand, these ports registered revenue surpluses: Legazpi, 3.3 million; Clark, 19.4 million; Iloilo, 1 million and Cebu, 10 million.

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