MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs’ Port of Manila office generated P469.05 million in income from the sale of goods illegally brought into the country from January to September this year, already exceeding its full year auction revenue target.
The amount represents a 261 percent increase over the agency’s 2014 goal of P130 million.
The Manila International Container Port collection district successfully conducted 14 public auctions of some 1,319 container vans containing forfeited shipments from January to Sept. 16.
Bulk of the items sold were glutinous and white rice, which allowed the government to earn more than P393 million.
“More than raising revenues for the government, the aggressive disposition of forfeited goods has also helped decongest the Manila International Container Terminal and sent a strong message to our stakeholders that we are committed to implementing customs laws and policies to the letter,” said BOC-MICP district collector Elmir Dela Cruz.
On top of the public auctions, the BOC-MICP also condemned 1,091 container vans of seized goods that could neither be sold through public bidding nor donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These include pirated or fake goods, food items and medicines that are expired and have no permits from the Food and Drug Administration.