Customs misses April revenue goal

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) missed its revenue goal again in April, with collections slowing down due in part to the truck ban in the city of Manila.

In a statement on Monday, May 26, the BOC said it collected P30.764 billion in April, below its P35.793-billion target.

In January to April, the bureau’s revenues amounted to P117.266 billion, also below its P130.571-billion target.

“Revenue growth slowed down in April on account of less number of working days – 19 versus 21 days in April 2013, as well as the implementation of the expanded truck ban in Manila, which affected collections at the country’s largest customs ports,” the bureau said.

The Port of Manila collected P5.508 billion in April, below its goal of P7.506 billion, while the Manila International Container Port recorded P8.771 billion revenues, against its goal of P10.173 billion.

Double-digit growth

The BOC nevertheless cited improvement in its performance, noting that collections grew by double digits for the 4th consecutive month in April, thanks to reforms.

It said it continued to implement “process improvements and tighter watch over imports and import values of goods.”

The agency began implementing reforms late last year in an effort to plug holes in its collection system. Among the reforms were the appointment of new top-level officials and an order for employees to return to their mother units.

Customs Commissioner John Sevilla said that “far more aggressive” reforms would be implemented this year.

These include the re-imposition of pre-shipment inspection for all formal entry cargo, centralized assessment service, and a single set of reference values for major commodities. – Rappler.com