BOC-Port of Manila exceeds P24.9 B collection target

The Bureau of Customs-Port of Manila (BOC-POM) reported yesterday that it had exceeded its collection target for the past five consecutive months.

In a statement, the BOC-POM said their total cash collection from January to May 2006 had reached P26.711 billion. For the month of May alone, it collected P550 million or 7.3 percent (P1.810 billion) more than its target.

Collector Horacio Suansing said their performance could only be attributed to "the wholehearted support of port personnel and their capability to work as a team."

He said they should work harder in the coming months and should be more vigorous in pursuing collection targets.

Aside from revenues from shipments and from pursuing importers with unpaid obligations, Suansing said they should also reconcile bonds posted on tax and duties to conditionally free shipments and speed up the auctioning of seized and abandoned cargo.

Out of the three ports in Metro Manila, which consist of the POM, Manila International Container Port (MICP) and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), only the POM has surpassed its collection target.

Its P26.711-billion collection for the past five months is much higher than its target for the period of only P24.901 billion. — Evelyn Macairan