EXTERNAL pressures amidst global economic uncertainty due to the ongoing war in the Middle East are not affecting the revenue collection effort of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) under the leadership of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno as the agency announced a tax take of more than ₱86 billion last April that pushed its collection to its highest point in nearly a decade.
Data from the Financial Service disclosed the agency generated ₱86.4 billion for the month with a surplus of P7.8 billion, 9.9 percent above its assigned target of ₱78.6 billion. The amount is also 15.17 percent higher or ₱11.699 billion more compared to the same month last year.
The impressive revenue also pushed BOC collection for the first four months of 2026 to ₱325.806 billion, again its highest collection in nearly 10 years as the figure exceeded by 3.5 percent or ₱11.48 billion its assigned target of ₱314.660 billion.
The figure is also higher by ₱19.729 billion, or 6.4 percent more compared to the same period in 2025.
The agency’s performance broke everybody’s expectations—including that of Commissioner Nepomuceno who, in March, expressed concern on the impact of the Middle East war on the BOC’s revenue effort as taxes and duties on oil products composed over a third of the agency’s annual tax collection.
The war in the Middle East between Israel, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran that started last February 28, has put uncertainty in the global supply of oil with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf where over 20 percent of global oil supply passes thru.
However, Commissioner Nepomuceno’s leadership proved adequate to the challenge as even the suspension of the excise tax on LPG (liquified petroleum gas) and kerosene starting last April ordered by President Marcos Jr. to ease the burden on consumers failed to dent the BOC’s revenue stream.
Under the guidance of Department of Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go and in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen fiscal performance, the BOC continues to pursue reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and trade facilitation.
Commissioner Nepomuceno has encapsulated Secretary Go and the President’s marching orders for sustained reforms at the agency thru the ‘I AM BOC Movement’ since being appointed to the top Customs post in July 2025.
The movement is anchored on the Customs chief’s admonition for all officials and personnel to lead by example in pursuing Integrity, Accountability and Modernization (IAM) at all levels of the organization.
“This is our highest year-to-surplus on record for the last 10 years, and it reflects the discipline, integrity, and consistency of our personnel across all ports.
“Even in the face of global uncertainties and policy shifts that affect our revenue base, we continue to deliver results that directly support government programs and national development,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.