The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it has surpassed its collection target performance for August 2023 by as much as 4.7%, or equivalent to P3.367 billion.
In a statement, the bureau said it exceeded the official target set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), collecting P 75.642 billion to exceed the target of P 72.275 billion.
The BOC likewise beat the seven-month collection from January to August 2023 compared to the same period last year.
The bureau generated P 582.133 billion in revenue, surpassing the target of P 567.740 billion by 2.54%, equivalent to P 14.393 billion. Compared to the previous year’s collection of P 558.455 billion during the same period, this year’s revenue grew by 4.24%, amounting to P23.678 billion.
The collection performance of the BOC can be attributed to efficient customs operations, enhanced trade activities, and revenue collection measures, Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said.
The BOC further reported that it has made significant strides in border control and national security through its X-ray Inspection Project (XIP).
The XIP under the supervision of Collector Carmelita Talusan has successfully deterred and intercepted numerous smuggling attempts, leading to the seizure of illegal drugs worth over P1.161 billion from January to August 2023, the bureau said.
Talusan’s team uses 107 active X-ray machines strategically deployed across multiple ports, sub-ports, and airports to identify hidden contraband.
The unit also advocates real-time information exchange among ports to thwart smuggling attempts. The XIP’s strategy focuses on enhancing
border control and national security.
XIP agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport recently intercepted a passenger who was caught carrying a bag loaded with more than P18 million worth of cocaine from Addis Ababa.
The woman traveler arrived from Hong Kong on board Ethiopian Airlines flight ET644 and was originally from Addis Ababa as her port of origin. Her baggage was recommended for 100% physical examination by the customs examiner, resulting in the discovery of 3.4 kilos of cocaine.