The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has recognized the collection district of Ninoy Aquino International Airport for its accomplishments in 2022, overshooting its tax collection target by P6.22 billion.
The Port of NAIA under the supervision of district collector Carmelita Talusan has contributed a total of P40.44 billion in duties and taxes, exceeding its P34.22 billion annual collection target by P6.22 billion or 18.18 percent.
In border security and protection, NAIA prevented unscrupulous importers from bringing into the country various shipments of illicit goods, and was able to file corresponding charges against them.
At least P451.8 million worth illegal drugs such as ecstasy, ketamine, kush, liquid marijuana, and shabu were intercepted by the port from 37 operations.
In addition, a total of 939 kilos of meat and meat products with no import clearance and health certificate, and shipments of poisonous spiders, tarantulas, snakes and marine animals were also detected and seized.
In terms of trade facilitation, the Port of NAIA continues to improve its performance by implementing reforms and initiatives such as the enhancement and deployment of Information and communications technology (ICT) projects and the establishment of Customer Care Centers.
At present, NAIA district has 19 ICT projects in addition to the bureau’s systems and processes implemented and established four Customer Care Centers: NAIA – CCC, Central Mail Exchange Centers (CMEC), People’s Air Cargo (Paircargo), and DHL warehouses.
The Port of NAIA also continued to facilitate the release of COVID-19 vaccines and medicines. Since the onset of pandemic, it has cleared 379 shipments of vaccine in 227 batches lodging 246.430 million doses.
In promoting exemplary performance and elevating transparent public service, the port successfully passed its first Surveillance Audit under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Certification by the TUVSUD Philippines.
Customs NAIA initially started with 21 ISO certified processes last year. In 2022, the port added six more processes to be ISO-certified bringing to 27 the total ISO certified processes which is the most among all ports.
Also last year, Port of NAIA was awarded as the Top 1 Collection District among the 17 ports nationwide during the Performance Governance System (PGS) Proficiency Revalida.
The PGS is a performance management and measurement tool designed to transform organizational strategies into breakthrough results to achieve better service delivery. Moreover, the port scores 4.89 or ‘very satisfactory rating’ in its customer feedback.
“These endeavors resulted in the milestones of Customs NAIA in receiving recognitions from various government agencies and non-governmental organizations,” said collector Talusan.
Talusan said her port will remain committed to fulfilling the mandates of Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz in improving collection of lawful revenues, enhancing trade facilitation and strengthening border protection and will continue to elevate efforts and initiatives aligned with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.