COMM. RUBIO SETS BOC DIRECTION FOR 2025

BUREU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, has set the ‘roadmap’ that would guide the agency this year geared towards reaching its assigned target this year of P1.06 trillion, the highest and most challenging revenue target thus far in its 112-years history.

This, after the customs chief presided over the traditional ‘New Year’s Call’ of all customs officials at his office last January 6 at the Port of Manila.

In his address, Rubio first expressed his thanks to the all the agency’s men and women “for their perseverance and contributions” throughout 2024, emphasizing the essential role each employee played in the agency’s success.

As 2024 ends, the BOC chalked up the biggest record in its anti-smuggling operation at more than P81 billion in terms of value, nearly four times its record of P24 billion just two years ago, in 2022, at the start of the Marcos administration (Pinoy Exposé, December 31, 2024).

The accomplishment is also nearly double the amount of smuggled goods and contrabands it seized in 2023 that stand at P43.3 billion (Pinoy Exposé, February 22, 2024).

The record haul also comes at a time when Rubio has been overseeing the agency for more than a year since his appointment as customs chief in February 2013.

Meanwhile, at the end of the third quarter (September), the agency also collected P660.716 billion, surpassing its goal of P644.185 billion by 2.57 percent equivalent to P16.531 billion.

The BOC said it is waiting for the official report from the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) with regards to its final, full year 2024 collection before making it public.

The agency has an official target of P959 billion for 2024; it registered a surplus collection of P9.49 billion in 2023, after turning in P883 billion in cash collection.

In his first official meeting with Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto in January, Rubio noted that the BOC has already attained 97 percent in the “digitalization” of its systems and processes.

Rubio also called on the BOC workforce to remain resolute in upholding its mandate anchored on the ‘5-Point Priority Program (5-PPP)’ that he laid down at the start of his term: digitalizing customs processes, surpassing revenue targets, simplifying procedures and facilitating secure trade, curbing smuggling, and enhancing employee welfare and development.

“This 2025, let us set an even higher standard for ourselves and the Bureau of Customs. We should remain steadfast in guarding our borders, facilitating legitimate trade, and ensuring the lawful collection of revenue,” he stated.

Throughout the day, courtesy calls were held between the customs chief and various groups, collection districts, and offices across the bureau.

“These interactions reinforced the Commissioner’s commitment to fostering collaboration and engaging with every sector of the organization to ensure alignment with the BOC’s mission and goals,” the BOC said in a statement detailing Rubio’s activities during the day.

Rubio also reminded the BOC workforce of the “core values” that define the agency: professionalism, integrity, excellence, and accountability.

He called on everyone to embrace these principles and to “continue serving with heart and integrity.”