THE Bureau of Customs [BoC] Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, said it had exceeded its February revenue target of P61.827 billion by collecting P63.015 billion during the month.

                 In a statement, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said the take was also P3.583 billion higher than the P59.433 billion posted a year ago.

                 The total collections from the start of the year reached P133.380 billion, P8.641 billion higher than the January-February goal of P124.738 billion.

                 Com. Bien Rubio said the bureau would continue to innovate and implement reforms to boost its collection efficiency which, in turn, will contribute to the expansion and recovery of the Philippine economy.

                 Com. Rubio said, “For this to be possible, we will also prioritize fostering a healthier trade environment through enhanced and modernized mechanisms for efficient trade facilitation and improved Customs operations for all our stakeholders.” 

                 In a related development, the bureau’s office in Subic port said that it had foiled the smuggling of 30,000 sacks of misdeclared refined sugar valued at P150 million.

                 District collector Maritess Martin issued pre-lodgement control and alert orders following information from the Department of Agriculture about questionable shipments.

                 Com. Rubio, together with Coll. Martin, Agriculture Assistant Secretary James Layug and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Rolen Paulino, led the examination of 58 containers.

                 A seizure and detention will be issued, the Customs office said, for the violation of relevant laws and regulations.

                 Also examined were two containers declared as containing squid rings which were then to be found to be carrying assorted frozen meat products valued more or less P40 million.

 A warrant of seizure and detention will also be issued, officials said.                  “The BoC (Bureau of Customs) continues to maximize its intelligence resources and intensify enforcement measures to thwart all attempts of smuggling, especially those involving agricultural products that negatively impact our local farmers and businesses,” Com. Rubio said. [M.T]