THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the Port of Manila collected P58.121 billion in revenues and seized P410.543 million worth of smuggled and other illegally imported goods from January to August 2026.
The port also generated P103.567 million from auctioning seized, forfeited and abandoned goods during the eight-month period.
In July, the port recorded its highest monthly collection for the period at P8.930 billion.
The accomplishments form part of the bureau’s Integrity, Accountability and Modernization (IAM BOC) Movement advocated by Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno to boost public trust and improve customs operations.
District Collector Rizalino Jose Torralba said the port will continue implementing reforms to improve transparency, protect government revenue and facilitate legitimate trade.
As part of its transparency initiatives, the port signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc. to enhance transparency in container examinations.
It also maintained the Port of Manila Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council as a venue for dialogue and coordination with industry stakeholders.
On modernization, Manila became the first Customs port to integrate barge-transfer operations into the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo System, allowing real-time monitoring of containerized cargo transported through waterways.
The initiative, implemented under Customs Memorandum Order 09-2024, uses GPS-enabled tracking along routes connecting key port facilities and economic zones. It is intended to expand cargo transport options, improve trade facilitation and help ease road congestion.
The port also kept yard utilization at 64 percent in July and 66 percent in August, below the 70-percent ideal target.
Beyond revenue collection and enforcement, the port continued employee development programs, including Civil Service Examination review sessions and the Customs Learning and Assessment Skills Series. It also conducted employee-centered activities and recognition programs for retiring and long-serving personnel.
Nepomuceno commended Torralba and the port’s workforce, saying their accomplishments showed how the IAM BOC Movement was being translated into concrete action.
