THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) said in a preliminary that it surpassed its revenue collection target for September, as many of its collection districts, which included the Port of Manila, were able to reach their respective money targets. 

It surpassed its target of P23.25 billion by about P739 million, according to the bureau’s report.

September, with total collections of about P24 billion, is the sixth-straight month that the BOC reached its target. Prior to that period, the bureau registered three straight months of deficits.

For the nine-month period, the bureau said it collected P191.45 billion, or P6.23 billion over its target of P185.22 billion.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee sets the bureau’s money targets.

The BOC has a collection target of P54 billion for the year.

In an earlier interview, Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said he is confident of attaining the bureau’s collection target because of the larger volume of cargo shipments and higher oil prices in the world market. Higher oil prices would mean a higher tariff when oil is imported by the Philippines.

Based on preliminary figures, eight out of 18 BOC collection districts were able to meet their targets, including Port of Manila, which used to post mostly collection deficits.

The Port of Manila surpassed its goal of P4.030 billion when it managed to collect P4.035 billion. For the nine-month period, however, the district is still off its collection target of about P6.36 billion.

Another collection district, the Manila International Container Port, collected P6 billion for the period, or P206 million ahead of its goal for the month, and slightly ahead of its nine-month target of P46.93 billion.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) and the Port of Batangas, on the other hand, fell short of their respective targets. Naia was able to collect P1.6 billion compared with its P1.87-billion target, while the Batangas port was P1-billion short of its P4.8-billion target.

The Port of Limay, where many oil depots are located, including those of Oilink, reported the biggest deficit of close to P2 billion, as it collected only 48 percent of its P3.67- billion target.

Among the ports that failed to reach their respective collection goals were Iloilo (P8-million short), Tacloban (P18-million short), Subic Bay (P8-million short), Surigao (P2.6-million short) and Zamboanga (P4.6-million short).

On the other hand, ports that performed better for September were San Fernando, up by P73 million from its P101.5-million target; Legaspi, P2.2 million beyond its goal; Cebu, P7 million more; Cagayan de Oro, P111 million more; Davao, P209 million more; and Clark Field, P84 million more.

Tax Expenditure Funds, or noncash payments for government importations, on the other hand, reached P5.02 billion and exceeded its goal by P4.196 billion.

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Customs bureau surpasses collection targets as of Sept.

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) said in a preliminary that it surpassed its revenue collection target for September, as many of its collection districts, which included the Port of Manila, were able to reach their respective money targets. 

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