BoC Directs Districts to Boost Border Protection Amid Revenue Gains

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has directed its collection districts to sustain their revenue performance while strengthening border protection and governance. "Our mandate goes far beyond hitting revenue targets," Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said in a statement on Wednesday. "I am generally happy with the performance of our ports and the results that we have achieved so far. However, these accomplishments must be coupled with our continuous commitment to good governance and strengthened border protection efforts." The BoC said it conducted 858 seizure operations from January to August involving an estimated P22.737 billion worth of illicit cigarettes, illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, agricultural products and other smuggled commodities. The bureau collected P664.776 billion during the same period, exceeding its adjusted revenue target by P5.467 billion. Mr. Nepomuceno urged district collectors to sustain their performance in the final quarter while strengthening border protection and good governance. The BoC also recognized the ports of San Fernando, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic, Clark, Aparri and Limay for meeting or exceeding their collection targets. The ports of Manila, Manila International Container Port and Ninoy Aquino International Airport were also recognized for raising additional revenues from the sale of seized and forfeited luxury vehicles. — Justine Irish D. Tabile