MALACAÑANG expressed support for the original proposed budget of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) after the Department of Budget and Management reduced the allocation to P5.9 billion from the initial request of over P29.9 billion.
“The administration supports the position of the BOC, as a larger budget is necessary for the agency to do its work,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in Filipino in a press briefing.
"One area that is truly being focused on is smuggling; they really need different machinery and equipment to better address the issue of smuggling," Castro added.
While acknowledging the mandate of Congress to approve budget, Castro urged lawmakers to consider the operational needs of the BOC.
"So, while Congress holds the 'power of the purse' — it might be better for it to understand the rationale behind the proposed budget of agencies like the BOC," Castro said.
