Customs exceeds February target

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected P43.7 billion in import duties and other taxes in February, exceeding the goal for the month even as three ports failed to meet their respective targets, with their district collectors facing the prospect of being axed.

Citing preliminary data of its financial service, the BOC said collections last month exceeded the P41.7-billion target.

The BOC’s take in February also jumped 41.5 percent from P30.9 billion a year ago.

“The increase in February collection is attributed to the improved collection of the majority of the BOC’s ports, notably by the revenues generated by the Manila International Container Port (MICP), Port of Manila (POM) and Batangas,” the country’s second-biggest revenue agency said in a statement.

Fourteen ports surpassed their respective targets.

“Majority of the 17 ports of the BOC exceeded their collection target for the month and this is mainly because of the intensive campaign against corruption and smuggling,” Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña said.

The three ports that missed their targets for the months were the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as well as the ports of Surigao and Zamboanga.

Lapeña told reporters on Tuesday that his earlier warning to fire district collectors who would underperform in February stood.

“There will be movements, and that will be caused by noncompliance to what I have told the collectors to hit the target,” Lapeña said.

Asked if the district collectors whose ports did not meet the target could appeal, Lapeña replied: “I think one month is more than enough for them to prove their worth. I cannot afford to have another experiment for another month.”

Lapeña said the BOC had many qualified officials who could replace those to be fired.

“There are many of them waiting on the side who are willing to prove their worth,” according to Lapeña.

Those who will be removed as district collectors will be “moved out of being a collector of that district because they have not proven their worth to be there, maybe transferred, or will be given another position that will be commensurate with their capabilities’ proper placement,” the BOC chief said.