Customs collects P287-B in 2012, misses target

MANILA, Philippines – This was not a surprise.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC), the second largest revenue collecting agency of the government, missed its 2012 goal.

Preliminary data from the agency showed it collected P287 billion, reflecting an 8.5% increase from 2011’s collection of P263 billion.

This, however, was way below the target of P347 billion for 2012.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon cited reasons, including the appreciation of the peso against the US dollar and the Philippines’ international trade deals that cut tariffs.

He reiterated as a reason the lesser number of working days in some months such as in August, traditionally a ghost month. BOC collected P22.152 billion against a target of P28.134 billion in August.

Just like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the BOC has banked on a name-and-shame campaign against individuals who and entities that do not pay the government what it is due.

The BOC has filed cases against smugglers and erring brokers, consignees and importers.

For 2013, the BOC is tasked to collect P397 billion. Biazon earlier expressed concern that this target is too high. – Rappler.com