President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. honored the Bureau of Customs (BOC) as it celebrated its 121st Founding Anniversary on February 7, 2023 at the Port Area, South Harbor, Manila. In a message delivered by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, President Marcos said that the Bureau has collected and assessed customs duties, curbed illicit trade and all forms of customs fraud, as well as facilitated trade through efficient customs management for over 120 years. Last year, the BOC exceeded its annual target with a collection of more than PHP862 billion. This is 34 percent higher than the PHP643 billion collected in 2021. The Bureau’s Collection Districts, on the other hand, have surpassed their individual revenue targets in 2022. The President also acknowledged the BOC’s efforts in strengthening the government’s campaign against the proliferation of illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, illegally imported agricultural products, and other contraband. In 2022, the BOC’s Anti-Smuggling Campaign recorded 729 seizures with a total estimated value of more than PHP24 billion. In the same year, the BOC conducted 107 drug bust operations, wherein around PHP12 billion worth of illegal drugs were seized. On the other hand, the BOC was able to conduct 156 seizures of agricultural products valued at PHP2.2 billion in 2022, higher than the PHP1.2 billion worth of products seized in 2021. This 82.83 percent increase was due to intensified border security efforts through enhanced intelligence and enforcement operations, and strengthened collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA). Following the directive to digitalize government systems, the BOC was able to successfully implement programs such as the Liquidation and Billing System, Raw Materials Liquidation System, Electronic Customs Baggage and Currencies Declaration, and E2M ETRACC integration among others. BOC Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, who presented the 2022 accomplishments report, also highlighted the successful launch of the ASEAN Customs Declaration Document (ACDD) Management Portal, which will strengthen the Bureau’s risk management protocol through the exchange of Export Declaration Information among ASEAN Member States. M o r e o v e r , through the inauguration of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Office, the BOC can engage with business and international partners to promote the seamless movement of goods through secure international trade supply chains. “The Bureau of Customs has done an excellent job covering all their bases, while juggling the task of transforming the Bureau into a more modernized and credible agency. I welcome their accomplishments for 2022 and expect even greater results this year,” said Secretary Diokno. President Marcos Jr. also gave his support and encouraged the Bureau to remain steadfast in fulfilling the BOC Strategy Map 2023 to position itself among the top 3 Customs Administrations in the ASEAN region by 2025.
