CEBU CITY – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu has collected P20.192 billion, exceeding its target for the first half of the year

The collection is P3.053 billion or 17.81 percent higher than its six-month target.

District Collector Charlito Martin Mendoza attributed the port’s positive fiscal performance to its officials and employees’ unwavering dedication and consistency in applying valuation and classification rules for imports.

In a report, the port’s revenue surplus was a result of consistently exceeding monthly targets since the start of 2022. The port also recorded its three highest monthly collections ever in history from April to June.

This semester’s collection was P4.773 billion or 31 percent higher compared to the revenues in the same period last year.

The port’s full-year collection target is pegged at P37.842 billion.

Mendoza said the port also maximized revenues by promptly resolving seizure cases and disposing of forfeited goods through auctions.

He also credited the port’s stakeholders, who have been proactive in their compliance and regularly participate in port-initiated webinars on latest policies and procedures and public consultations.

Another major contributing factor to revenue collections is the Port of Cebu’s active participation in implementing the reform agenda of the bureau, particularly its anti-smuggling and border security program and good governance initiatives.

Last May, the port deployed three new high-speed boats for on-sea patrolling and interdiction and two units of Trace Detection System for detection of explosives, narcotics, and drug substances through sampling non-visible trace amounts of particulates.

In the same month, the port’s enforcement and intelligence officers participated in the International Seaport Interdiction Training conducted by the US Export Control and Border Security Program.

The port also conducted a series of internal workshops and seminars, covering an array of significant professional development topics.

Last February, the Port of Cebu passed the Proficiency Stage of the Performance Governance System with a rating of 87.4 percent.

Last month, the port passed the final external audit for ISO 9001:2015 Certification conducted by TuvSud Philippines.

Since the Subport of Dumaguete and Subport of Mactan were the first to be conferred the certification in the past two years, passing the final audit made the Port of Cebu the first collection district to have its main port and all subports ISO 9001:2015 certified.