THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Monday said it exceeded its revenue targets in the first four months of the year despite policy measures that reduced collections amid global and domestic headwinds.
Preliminary data showed total duties and tax collections at P325.808 billion from January to April, surpassing its target of P314.660 billion, and also 6.4 percent higher than the P306.08 billion in the same period last year.
“This is our highest year-to-date surplus on record for the last 10 years, and it reflects the discipline, integrity, and consistency of our personnel across all ports,” Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said. “Even in the face of global uncertainties and policy shifts that affect our revenue base, we continue to deliver results that directly support government programs and national development.” In April alone, the agency said it delivered the highest monthly collection on record at P86.4 billion compared to its P78.6-billion target. This is also 15.7 percent higher than the P74.701 billion in April last year.
The outstanding outturn came despite drawbacks from the government’s cutting excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene for three months starting April to cushion consumers from rising fuel costs. The measure directly reduced potential revenues from petroleum imports during the period, Nepomuceno said.
Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla previously said that petroleum-related collections amount to as much as P300 billion annually. A broader suspension could reduce revenues by P200 to P250 billion.
However, Maronilla also noted that the BOC had anticipated the policy shift and prepared for a potentially larger revenue hit.
External risks also weighed on trade flows, including the economic impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has affected global oil prices and shipping routes.
Despite these challenges, Nepomuceno attributed the BOC’s performance to tighter valuation practices, enhanced monitoring systems, and continued digitalization of processes across ports. These initiatives form part of its ongoing reform agenda anchored on the Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization (IAM) program.
The BOC is tasked to collect P1.003 trillion this year.
