THE ‘Fuel Marking Program’ (FMP) of the government being implemented by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) thru the Enforcement Group (EG) has already yielded more than P1 trillion in revenue since it was officially launched in 2019.
The figure was presented to Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and other top customs officials during a ‘high level briefing’ they held to review the status of the FMP with their partners, SGS Philippines and SICPA SA, last November 20.
The SICPA and SGS teams represented by David Burke, Aspac regional managing director and Mostafa Nasri, global service manager, respectively, reported that as of November 2024, a total of 89.35 billion liters of fuel have been successfully marked, generating ₱1.028 trillion in taxes, of which, ₱204.18 billion was collected alone at the start of the year.
The FMP underwent a series of ‘test runs’ before it was implemented on a nationwide scale in March 2019. From inspecting fuel tankers and oil depots, the inspection now reaches down to pumping/gas stations to ensure that no smuggled fuel is being sold in the market.
From 11.16 billion liters in marked fuel in 2019, the figure immediately rose to 15.69 billion liters the following year, valued at P109.36 billion and from where P21.81 billion in duties and taxes was collected by the government (Pinoy Expose, January 17, 2021).
Rubio noted that their strong partnership also resulted thus far to 84 apprehensions and the filing of 21 fuel smuggling cases, including a conviction for illegal fuel trading.
The FMP is specifically designed to address the problem of oil and fuel smuggling and plug leakages in the government’s revenue sources.
The officials of SGS Philippines Inc. and SICPA SA also expressed gratitude to the Fuel Marking Program Project Implementation Office (FMP-PIO) headed by Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement, Atty. Teddy S. Raval. Raval was on an official trip abroad, during the briefing.
Other key attendees include Deputy Commissioner of the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group, Atty. Vener S. Bacquiran, Deputy Commissioner of the Revenue Collection Monitoring Group, Atty. Clarence S. Dizon and, Financial Management Office Director, Bienvenido R. Datuin Jr.
Rubio chairs Collectors’ Meet in Kalibo
To further boost the morale of his officials, Rubio meanwhile, presided an out-of-town customs collectors’ conference simultaneous with his visit at the Kalibo International Airport, the following day, November 21.
The airport, under Collector Melisa P. Andana, is a subport of the Iloilo Collection District headed by Collector Ciriaco Ugay.
During his visit Rubio took time to meet with subport officials and commended their efforts, particularly the successful implementation of the eTravel system at Kalibo International Airport and Boracay Airport.
He expressed hope that the high standards of service demonstrated during the system’s pilot phase would continue.
Rubio also highlighted the impressive performance of the Kalibo International Airport in revenue collection, noting that the airport had surpassed its target collection by more than 200 percent.
“I also commend the Kalibo International Airport for collecting a total of P6.82 million in revenue from January to November 14, 2024, surpassing the Port’s target collection of P2.930 million, by 232.79 percent.
“Maliit na puwerto, kakaunti ang mga empleyado, pero paniguradong malayong malayo ang mararating ng mga buwis na inyong nakolekta para sa ating bayan,” Rubio emphasized.
Rubio also took the opportunity to personally thank the dedicated personnel at Kalibo International Airport, recognizing their hard work and sacrifices.
At the Collectors’ Conference, the Customs Chief emphasized the need for continued focus and cooperation in achieving the BOC’s targets for the remainder of 2024.
The BOC is tasked to collect P959 billion in revenue for this year.
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