ILOILO City – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Iloilo touted its P4.077-billion collection as of Sept. 30, 2022, its highest annual collection since 2018’s P4.010 billion.
“Ang breakthrough namin sa collection is nalagpasan namin ‘yung 2018…lumagpas tayo ng P67 million,” said Port of Iloilo District Collector Ciriaco D. Ugay.
He also said the district office’s revenue as of Sept. 30 exceeded the annual target of P3.187 billion by 28 percent or P889.716 million.
Ugay attributed the port’s achievement to the hard work of all its personnel to strengthen border control, enhance trade facilitation and improve collection of lawful revenues.
Last year, the port’s revenue collection of P3.169 billion was also higher by 7.23 percent or P213.73 million than its target of P2.955 billion.
Ugay also cited the big improvement in the processing system, particularly the modernization or digitization of transactions and payment scheme which are now being done through an authorized agent bank.
“Wala na ‘yung face-to-face contact with stakeholders. Ang payment is direct to the authorized agent bank…ongoing ang pag-digitalize. Napabilis natin ang trade facilitation but in a secure manner,” Ugay said.
As to border protection, Ugay said when he assumed office in November 2020 he created the Customs Border Protection Team composed of Custom’s police and intelligence and operations personnel with the main objective of securing the region’s borders.
“Involved na lahat ng personnel in manning the borders. So far maganda ang resulta, nagkaroon nga kami ng apprehensions issued with forfeiture orders,” he said.
For this year, the bureau’s intensified border security measures resulted to the issuance of five orders of forfeiture, composed of one apprehension in Iloilo, three at the Kalibo International Airport and one Tariff Commission Ruling in favor of the government. The total estimated appraised value of forfeited goods including the cash bond is P3.383 million.
For trade facilitation, Ugay said the port regularly conducts engagement with stakeholders through webinar meetings to know their issues and concerns on management, on the port or even with the personnel.
They also continuously coordinate with partner agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine Coast Guard, among others, on how to strengthen and protect the borders of Western Visayas.
The Port of Iloilo, with area of responsibility covering the whole Region 6, has 86 personnel including contract of service./PN
