BOC expects higher collections

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) expressed confidence it would be able to sustain the growth in its collections until the end of the year amid reforms implemented by the agency.

In a statement, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the continued efforts of the BOC to improve its procedures and ease trade facilitation would drive the increase in its revenue collection until the end of 2017.

The BOC is targeting to hit P468 billion in collections this year, up from P396.37 billion in 2016.

In October, the BOC generated P42 billion in revenues, marking the “highest monthly collection in the agency’s history.”

It was up 25.86 percent from P33.37 billion the same month in 2016, but still slightly below the bureau’s October collection target of P42.54 billion.

This November, collections continue to improve, as the BOC reported the “highest daily collection,” last Nov. 10, Lapeña said.

Revenue collected in Nov. 10 reached P3.839 billion, up 54 percent  year on year.

BOC Financial Service director Cecile Marie Soriano said this was due to the good performance of the Port of Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Port of Davao and Port of Limay.

Aside from the recent reform measures, Lapena also attributed the growth to the increase in the volume of importation of motor vehicles in the Port of Batangas.

“I am very optimistic that the figures can still progress once the rest of the ports submit their mid-November collection reports,” Lapeña added.

Lapeña earlier laid out his five-point reform agenda for the BOC, one of which is the discontinuance of benchmarking of duties and taxes, and adherence to the proper valuation and classification of goods.

Lapeña also highlighted the BOC’s policy against corruption within the bureau, such as the  “no tara” or no grease money policy.

On trade facilitation, Lapeña said he has directed the agency to fast-track the inspection of goods and container vans.

He also revealed his plan to create a joint task force with the Bureau of Internal Revenue to intensify the government’s anti-smuggling campaign and to improve tax collections.