Customs collection falls 5% short of target in 2019

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it fell five percent short of its revenue collection target in 2019 after eight of its 17 collection districts did not meet their annual revenue collection targets. 

In a statement, BOC said it collected P630.47 billion in 2019, lower than its target of P661.04 billion. The amount, however, was 6.3 percent higher than last year’s collection.

The eight collection districts that failed to achieve their targets are Manila International Container Port (MICP) and the ports of Batangas, Manila, NAIA, Cebu, Davao, Clark and Surigao. 

The BOC said the MICP collected P164.404 billion while the port of Batangas collected P152.222 billion; Manila, P74.812 billion; NAIA, P43.238 billion; Cebu, P31.274 billion; Davao, P27.986 billion; Clark, P1.940 billion; and Surigao, P19.43 million.   

Out of the 17 district collection districts, BOC said that the ports of Limay, Cagayan de Oro, Subic, San Fernando, Iloilo, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Legaspi and Aparri achieved their targets for 2019. 

The BOC said that the “system innovations” introduced in 2019 such as the Goods Declaration Verification System (GDVS) and the National Value System (NVVS) has helped achieve their target for 2019.  

During the 118th founding anniversary of the bureau, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero thanked the employees of the BOC for their hardwork and unity towards achieving a common goal last year. 

“With you as allies and partners, the bureau has been able to achieve its targets and initiate programs geared towards improving efficiency and optimizing operations for better trade and collections,” Guerrero said. 

Guerrero said that the “collection efforts of all ports and sub-ports were augmented by non-traditional sources.”