Marking 117 years of excellence in public service and trade facilitation, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reported P48.153 billion collection with a surplus of 2.527, or 5.5-percent increase, above its P45.626-billion goal.
Surpassing its collection target in January, the revenues generated by the BOC were derived mostly from cash collection, which refers to duties, taxes and fees collected from goods that entered through the customs ports nationwide, based on the report of the Bureau of Treasury,
The January 2019 collection is up 17.9 percent, or an increase of 7.322 billion, compared from the same period last year, for which the bureau collected 40.830 billion.
Customs commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero said that far more aggressive reforms will be implemented over the next months. These include automation to improve the bureau’s processes, enhancement of cargo clearance and examination capabilities, and strengthening of institutional and individual capabilities in the area of intelligence and enforcement.
The good news comes on time, as the agency is celebrating its 117th anniversary this year.
The BOC celebrated on February 6, with the theme, “One Mission, One Team, One BOC”, with Finance Undersecretary Antonette Tionko gracing the event. She was welcomed by Guerrero and other BOC officials with arrival honors.
Among the highlights of the celebration is the BOC exhibit, which showcases photographs, as well as replicas of several seizures and apprehensions of drugs and other contrabands highlighting the accomplishments of BOC collection districts and offices.
Also at the celebration, the BOC formally launched the fuel-marking program that will be implemented by the government to curb illicit trade of petroleum products. Tionko, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) commissioner Caesar Dulay and Guerrero spearheaded the launching.
The BOC and the BIR are the primary government agencies tasked to implement the fuel-marking program. Under the National Internal Rrevenue Code (NIRC), as amended the BOC is mandated to collect excise tax and VAT from all imported oil products, and prevent smuggling and all forms of illegal importation.
The fuel-marking program slated for implementation this year is expected to plug an estimated P27 billion to P44 billion of annual revenue losses.
The fuel-marking program was made mandatory for five years, pursuant to Section 148-A of the NIRC, as amended by Republic Act No. 10963, otherwise known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.
Destruction of cigarette-making machines
Also part of the activities is the destruction of seven cigarette-making machines in the custody of the BOC to serve as a warning to smugglers and manufacturers of fake cigarettes.
The imported cigarette-making machines without proof of payment of duties and taxes were seized on different occasions last November and December by the elements of the BOC Enforcement and Security Service from various warehouses in Bulacan, Nueva Viscaya and Quezon City.
Pursuant to the provision of Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the owners of the machines were given 15 days to produce evidence of payment of duties and taxes. However, the owner failed to produce such documents.
Warrants of seizure and detention were issued against the said machines, pursuant to Section 1400 and Section 1113 of the CMTA.
The items were declared forfeited in favor of the government after the owners failed to produce the required documents.
BOC collection districts recognized for their performance
Speaking before the men and women of the BOC Guerrero recognized the collective efforts of the officials and personnel of the bureau in fulfilling the mandates of the agency.
BOC collection districts were recognized for their consistent performance that contributed to the bureau’s revenue growth in 2018. The ports of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Clark and Manila International Container Terminal, as well as the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force and the BOC Xray Inspection Project, were commended for their successful antismuggling operations that resulted in the seizure of more than P3 billion worth of illegal drugs in 2018.
Guerrero also introduced his 10-point priority program which will serve as the framework for the action plans of 2019.
“All these we will strive to put into action for the good of the service and the institution. All these are shaped by a singular vision for reform, a united effort to perform above and beyond expectations and a collective desire to transform into an institution that is modern and credible, and one that the Filipino nation can be proud of,” the BOC chief said.