The Bureau of Customs has surpassed its revenue goal for 2020 by more than P33.5 billion.
Based on an initial financial report released by the agency on Tuesday, it collected a total of P539.660 billion, reflecting 106.6 percent of the target collection of P506.150 billion.
The bureau also exceeded its collection target for the seventh consecutive month in December by 9.1 percent, collecting a total of P47.316 billion as against its P43.368-billion goal for the month.
Ten of the 17 collection districts, the oorts of Cebu, Tacloban, Surigao, Cagayan De Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic, Clark, Aparri and Limay also met or exceeded their respective revenue goals for 2020.
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero attributed the agency’s positive performance to the improved valuation and intensified collection efforts of all the ports.
He also cited the gradual improvement of the importation volume and the government’s efforts to ensure the unhampered movement of goods domestically and internationally considering the coronavirus pandemic.
“Once again I commend the collective efforts of the men and women of BoC who, despite the risks to their health and safety, showed an unwavering commitment and dedication to service,” Guerrero said.
In November, the Institute for Solidarity in Asia recognized the agency for its innovative program to transform itself into a world-class Customs Administration by 2022.
The agency earned the Gold Governance Trailblazer award, the highest distinction given by ISA, in recognition of its outstanding planning, management and implementation of programs.
Guerrero thanked lawyers Maria Lourdes Mangaoang and Noemi Garcia for leading the Office of Strategy Management and the core team as the bureau successfully passed ISA’s Performance Governance System’s compliance stage.
In 2019 Customs received the same recognition as it passed the first Stage or the Initiation of PGS.
The PGS is a framework for transformation that empowers institutions to deliver breakthrough results. It contributes to national development and inclusive growth by guiding institutions through a four-stage pathway designed to create, execute and sustain effective transformation strategies