Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III lauded the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for its outstanding performance in 2020 to 2021 amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Bureau of Customs performed exceedingly well through these two difficult years. Notwithstanding the constraints imposed by the public health crisis, the Bureau’s revenue collection in 2021 grew by 20 percent compared to 2020. It likewise surpassed its collection target last year by 4 percent. Remarkably, the 2021 collection was even higher than in 2019, before the pandemic came upon us.” said Secretary Dominguez.

In 2020, the BOC collected a total revenue of Php 537.687 Billion, surpassing its collection target by 6.23% or by Php 31.537 Billion. Meanwhile in 2021, the BOC was able to generate a total revenue of Php 643.562 Billion, once again exceeding its collection target by 4.4% or by Php 26.813 Billion.

The consistent performance of the BOC is attributed to the organizational reformations and modernization programs initiated by the agency. Since 2019, the BOC successfully digitalized 82% or 139 customs processes through the development and implementation of 30 Information and Communications Technology projects. This also resulted in the increased efficiency in customs operations which enabled the Bureau to address the growing needs of its stakeholders in a timely and transparent manner during the ongoing health crisis.

Moreover, since 2019, the BOC enrolled in the 4-Stage Performance Governance System of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia to strengthen its reformation and transformation efforts to promote quality, integrity, and efficiency within the bureau – effectively laying down the framework for both the current and future administration to work towards a better and integrity driven governance campaign.

The Bureau of Customs continues its drive towards becoming a modernized and credible customs administration at par with global standards through its sustained innovative reformations.