BOC’s Nov collections up 19% to P28.2B

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REVENUE collections of the Philippine Bureau of Customs rose 19% year-on-year to P28.254 billion in November, the BOC’s fastest growth pace this year but still short of its target of P31.057-billion for the month.

In November last year, the agency collected P23.749 billion.

The January November take reached P280.742 billion, up 6.2% from P264.341 billion in the first 11 months of 2012, but also below the P312.001-billion target.

Customs officials said the higher collections reflected increased imports for the yuletide season and renewed vigor among BOC staff as uncertainties caused by swift changes in senior and middle management waned.

“We are pleased that the reforms we have been undertaking are taking root as the situation at the agency stabilizes. The surge in our collections is an indication that there is still much room for the Bureau of Customs to improve its performance,” newly appointed Customs Commissioner John Phillip Sevilla said.

Revenues came from actual cash collections for the month, but with no tax expenditure fund, which are non cash collections recorded on paper for government transactions such as rice importations.

The country’s second-largest revenue generating agency exceeded its November target for cash collection by P551 million.

“As we continually streamline operations, maximize efficiencies and review our processes, we are optimistic that our revenue growth momentum will speed up,” Sevilla said.

Eleven of the BOC’s 17 collection districts exceeded their targets for the month.

The collection districts of Aparri, Iloilo and Subic were the biggest gainers in November, as administrative measures and increased use of IT systems took effect.

Aparri’s actual collection for November was P373 million, almost 13 times the target of P29 million; for the January November period, the port collected a total of P467 million, 1.5 times the P304-million target.

The port of Iloilo posted revenue of P154 million, more than double the P71-million goal for November, while its aggregate 11 month collection reached P1.114 billion, versus its target of P757 million.

Subic collected P1 billion in November and P10.143 billion for the first 11 months, almost double their targets of P533 million and P5.675 billion, respectively.

Clark equalled its P77 million collection target for November but its P1.402 billion aggregate revenue take for the first 11 months greatly outperformed its P817 million target.

Meanwhile, the Manila International Container Port, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as well as the ports of Batangas and Limay are within single digit percentage levels of their respective full year collection targets.

For December, the BOC is tasked to collect P27.998 billion. The agency, which accounts for about 21% of total revenues of the national government, has a target of P340 billion for 2013.

Earlier, Sevilla said the BOC needs to collect P1.4 billion a day in December alone to be within the target.––Roumina M. Pablo