DAVAO CITY – The Bureau of Customs (BoC) posted the highest growth in actual cash collection at P16.42 billion in 2017 five years after the Port of Davao records its highest revenue in 2012.
The 2017 collection indicates an increase of 20.84 percent or P2.83 billion from its annual target of P13.59 billion.
This was announced by District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria in a press briefing Thursday afternoon at the BoC office in Sasa, saying, it is also five times higher than 2016’s surplus of 4.50 percent.
The actual collection in 2016 was pegged at P11.88 billion against its target of P11.37 billion.
In 2017, the total transactions in the Port of Davao increased by 25 percent from 2016. BoC recorded 26,361 transactions in 217 compared to 206 with 21,116 transactions.
The value of transactions also grew from P75.65 billion to P108.51 billion in 2017. In terms of volume of transactions, BoC posted P6.15 billion in 2017 from P4.99 billion in 2016.
The top commodities in 2017 were the 1) mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation, 2) salt, sulphur, earths and stone, plastering materials, 3) fertilizers, 4) iron and s7)teel, 5) ceramic products, 6) cereals, 7) residues and wastes from food industries, prepared animal fodder, 8) wood and articles of wood, wood charcoal, 9) animal and vegetable fats, and 10) articles of iron or steel.
The top ten importers in 2017 were Seaoil Philippines, Steel Asia, Phoenix Petroleum, TWA, Inc, Petrotrade Philippines, Insular Oil, Dole Philippines, Therma South, Chevron Philippines, and San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation.
China remains the top country of origin followed by Indonesia, Korea, United States, Vietnam, Malaysia, Russian Federation, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand.
Austria factored in Davao’s good economy wherein business was thriving and international trade was flourishing despite the martial law declared mid-2017.
“This is one indicator of support to the administration that trade performance was not hampered and there is phenomenal growth despite martial law,” Austria said.
Austria stressed martial law did not impact the economy of Davao.
The Port of Davao District covers Davao City ports (Sasa Port, Tefasco, Davao International Container Terminal in Davao), the Port of Dadiangas in General Santos City, the sub-port in Mati City, and in Parang, Cotabato.
The overall performance in 2017 is also attributed to BoC reform particularly in the enforcement of proper Customs rules and procedures, improving own facilities, and enhancement of personnel capability and competency.
“If you increase efficiency, you also increase revenue collection,” Austria said, adding that BoC also made physical improvements of the BoC office to make it a conducive work environment.
In 2019, Austria is positive of the economic growth and increase trade.
He said Davao’s economy has been robust with a GDP growth at 9 percent in 2016
Being one of the government’s frontline collection agency, Austria said BoC is also expected to collect more this year with the implementation of TRAIN (Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Act). The other agency is the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Austria underscored its role in increasing revenue collection to fund the government’s Build Build Build program.
“The Port of Davao is at the forefront in contributing well to the agenda of the President (Rodrigo Duterte),” he said.
Austria said BoC will be meeting with Commissioner Isidro Lapena for the final implementation of TRAIN. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
