When the public has confidence with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), more compliance with tax regulations and better utilization of taxpayers' money would follow, President Marcos said.

Marcos made the statement in his remark during the 123rd founding anniversary of the BOC on Friday, Feb. 7.

He enjoined them to serve the people with integrity and prioritize the sake of the nation in hopes to overturn the decades-long of various controversies and corruption allegations that, he said, have eroded the public's trust.

"We hope that you will continue to excel as leaders, for you will be the pioneers who will usher the Bureau into a new era of efficiency and integrity," Marcos said as he congratulated all the recipients of the Leadership Awards in the bureau.

"This is important because when the public has confidence in the BOC, there is more compliance with tax regulations and, therefore, better utilization of taxpayers’ money," he said.

He further said "this is the kind of leadership that Filipino citizens require and it is what they deserve."

The whole nation is watching, he said. So, the men and women of the BOC must perform their mandate with integrity and compassion.

"Sa lahat ng opisyal, inspektor, at kawani ng BOC: Lagi ninyong unahin ang kapakanan ng sambayanan. Gampanan ninyo ang inyong tungkulin ng buong katapatan at may malasakit sa inyong kapwa Pilipino (To all the officials, inspectors, and employees of the BOC: Prioritize the interest of the public at all times. Perform your duty with integrity and compassion for all Filipinos)," Marcos urged them.

"Nakabantay ang buong bayan. Kaya naman, patuloy tayong magsumikap para sa minimithing landas patungo sa Bagong Pilipinas (The whole nation is watching. So, we must continue to work towards the path of a new Philippines)," he added.

In his speech, the President said the bureau must change its decades-long reputation to the public, and let its achievements speak for themselves.

"I shall be direct: Throughout its 123-year history, the Bureau of Customs has never had an easy time. Various controversies and corruption allegations have eroded the public’s trust," he said.

"But we are changing that. We will allow your accomplishments to speak for themselves," he added.

This as he acknowledged that the Customs bureau generated P931.046 billion in revenues last year, up by P40 billion from P890.446 billion in 2023.

The numbers, the President said, are significant as revenues are used in developing educational and infrastructure systems and many other projects.

Marcos also praised the BOC's efforts to protect the country's borders from economic exploitation, noting that the BOC confiscated more than P85.167 billion worth of smuggled goods last year, nearly doubling the P43.295 billion seized in 2023.

The Chief Executive also cited the revocation of 56 importers and customs brokers involved in illegal and questionable activities. He added that three Customs employees were dismissed due to misconduct or inefficiency, and five others were suspended.

By citing this, he said, "for the law to be fair, it must apply to all, especially to us who are in public service."

"The people have placed their trust in us, and they deserve nothing less than our utmost diligence, our integrity, and our total accountability," he said.