Customs beats Q1 revenue collection goal

MANILA -The Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected P80.1 billion in March, a 13-percent increase from the P70.8 billion recorded in the same month of 2022.

Collections in March were also 11 percent higher than the BOC’s target of P72.3 billion for that month.

This brought the BOC’ revenues in the first quarter of 2023 to P213.6 billion, higher by 13.3 percent than the P188.6 billion collected in the same quarter last year.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio attributed the strong collection performance to the agency’s 5-point priority program, which is focused on digitalizing Customs processes, simplifying procedures, curbing smuggling in all forms, and uplifting employee welfare and development.

Rubio said the first-quarter take was also 8.4-percent better than the BOC’s goal of P197 billion for that period.

“We will continue to implement our priority programs and introduce new initiatives to sustain this positive momentum,” he added.

In the meantime, according to House Committee on Appropriations chairman and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, the BOC’s strong collection performance in the first quarter of 2023 is a portent of good things to come for the Marcos administration.

“These extra revenues will go a long way in funding the various programs of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. As chairman of the House appropriations panel, nothing is more reassuring than knowing that the programs and projects we are allocating money for can actually be funded,” Co said.

He said the additional government revenue would ultimately be felt by Filipinos in the form of various social services and subsidies that the administration drew up to cope with the lingering effects of Covid-19 and high inflation rate.

Co noted that the Marcos administration’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda covers food security, improved transportation, affordable and clean energy, health care, education, social services, sound fiscal management, and bureaucratic efficiency.