MANILA: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Tuesday, March 8, that it collected P26.82 billion ($571.58 million) in February, way below its P38.01-billion ($810.25 million) target for the month.
It was said to be the first time that all ports in the country failed to meet their target in the same month.
The government’s second largest revenue collection agency cited the celebration of Chinese New Year in China – the source of 70% of Philippine imports – for the slump.
Customs Commission Alberto Lina said he expects collections to improve after February due to the organization of BOC personnel.
Based on an initial BOC report, the Port of Manila posted the highest deficit, collecting P4.09 billion of its P6.82-billion target.
The Manila International Container Port (MICP) collected P8.53 billion, but it was way below the goal of P11.19 billion.
The oil ports of Limay and Batangas also contributed to the shortfall, with a combined deficit of P3.55 billion.
Collections of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were down by P904.6 million, Subic Freeport, P445.4 million; Davao, P351.4 million; Cagayan de Oro, P222.2 million; Cebu, P176.9 million; San Fernando, P69.5 million; Aparri, P41.2 million; Clark, P26.5 million; Tacloban, P18.2 million; Iloilo, P17.6 million; Legaspi, P3.7 million; Zamboanga, P2.9 million; and Surigao, P1.5 million.
