The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has surpassed the official target collection that the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) set for August 2023 due to better operations and strong collection measures.

Preliminary data over the weekend showed that the BOC collected P75.64 billion, exceeding the DBCC's target of P72.28 billion by 4.7 percent, equivalent to P3.367 billion.

From January to August 2023, the Bureau generated P582.133 billion in revenue, surpassing the target of P567.74 billion by 2.54 percent, equivalent to P14.39 billion.

BOC's revenue this year grew by 4.24 percent to P23.68 billion from P558.46 in the same period last year.

Aside from better operations and strong collection revenues, BOC attributed its collection performance to "enhanced trade activities."

"The BOC's performance above revenue targets demonstrates the agency's commitment to fiscal responsibility and its role in contributing to the country's economic growth and stability," the Bureau said.

"These achievements will fund essential government projects and services in the coming months, benefiting the Filipino people," it added.

Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, for his part, lauded the Bureau "for their exceptional performance, which undeniably is instrumental in achieving this revenue milestone."

"We will continue to monitor trade activities and implement measures to sustain this positive momentum in revenue collection as part of the Bureau's collaborative effort in further strengthening the nation's financial standing," said Commissioner Rubio.

Aside from better collection, BOC also conducted 687 anti-smuggling operations, yielding P31.118 billion worth of various smuggled goods, the highest in the last five years.

In a similar milestone in trade facilitation, the BOC secured the second spot among Southeast Asian nations in the 2023 United Nations Global Survey with an impressive total Trade Facilitation score of 87.10 percent.

These milestones underscore the Bureau's vital role in bolstering the nation's financial stability and promoting efficient trade practices.