BOC posts ‘highest’ monthly take, surpasses September target by P3 billion

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) under Comm. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, continues to chalk surplus collections after surpassing its September collection goal by more than P3 billion, in the process also recording its highest monthly revenue take despite the sluggish business environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assistant Commissioner and spokesperson, Atty. Vincent ‘Jett’ Maronilla, quoting the preliminary report from the Financial Service, said for September, the agency collected P59.9 billion, up by some P3 billion or 5.3 percent from its assigned target of P56.9 billion.

Since January, the BOC has thus far collected P472.204 billion or 76.6 percent of its annual target for 2021 of P616.749 billion.

The hefty collection was also aided by the equally impressive performance of the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG) under Maronilla and the Assessment Operations Coordinating Group under Deputy Commissioner Edward James Dy Buco.

In its 3rd quarter 2021 report, the PCAG said it has managed to collect more than P497 million from the months of July up to September, as part of the 112 Audit Notice Letters (ANL) it issued during the period.

Year to date, the PCAG has managed to collect total revenues of Php 1,037,604,985.85 from the 266 ANLs issued in 2021.

Maronilla said he remains optimistic that additional revenues from its post clearance audit activities would still be collected, noting that, at present, there are still 57 demand letters amounting to P11.473 billion that have become final and executory after the audited importers failed to contest the audit result.

“These have been referred to the BOC Legal Service for filing of the necessary collection suit,” Maronilla explained in a statement last October 2, 2021.

Dy Buco, for his part, said that the AOCG, thru the various Auction and Cargo Monitoring Division offices, also disposed 814 overstaying containers resulting to the collection of additional revenues totaling more than P134,643, 698, also between the months of July and September.

He added the cargoes were disposed thru auction, donation and condemnation, as provided for under the law.

The cargoes successfully auctioned involved 336 containers of assorted items. On the other hand,

35 containers of twine, yarn droppings, books, medical supplies and broadcasting equipment, were donated to various agencies ang local government units while 443 containers of used clothing, rotten foodstuff, used oil, used furniture, among others, were condemned.

Aside from generating additional income for the bureau, the disposition of overstaying cargoes also contributed to more cargo spaces, thereby increasing yard utilization and efficiency.

Maronilla further noted that for September, 8 of the bureau’s 17 collection districts exceeded their targets, namely:

Ports of Limay, Manila, San Fernando, Zamboanga, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, and Clark.