By Angelo Espino

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recorded a surplus of PHP17.6B or 28.4 percent, after collecting a total revenue amounting to PHP79.5 billion in September.

Based on a preliminary report, the Bureau exceeded its PHP61.9 billion target collection last month.

The figure also shows an increase of PHP21.9 billion in garnered revenues and a 38.1 percent collection improvement as compared to September of last year.

The positive collection is attributed to the stringent implementation of border control measures by Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz to plug revenue leakages and strengthen the nation’s trade facilitation and revenue collection performance.

At the same time, the BOC continues to sustain its positive performance throughout 2022.

As records showed that it has already collected PHP638.7B in total revenues, 17.8 percent above its target for the months of January to September.

The figure shows an increase of PHP168.9B or 35.9 percent in collection under the same timeline in 2021.

Ruiz continues to push all Bureau offices and Collection Districts to sustain its exceptional performance throughout the year by taking advantage of the BOC’s modernization programs and enhanced reform initiatives.

These are aligned with 8-point Socioeconomic Program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.