+The Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected P931.046 billion in revenues last year, an increase of P40 billion compared to P890.446 billion in 2023.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. touted this accomplishment as he graced the BOC's 123rd-anniversary celebrations on Friday, stressing the importance of increased revenue collection.

“The numbers are significant as revenues are used in developing educational and infrastructure systems and many other projects,” Marcos said in his message. 

“Ibig sabihin, sa tamang pagkokolekta ng taripa sa ating mga pantalan, mas mabilis ang biyahe ng ating mga kababayan, magkakaroon ng sapat na kagamitan sa pag-aaral ng ating mga anak, at mapapagtapos natin sa kolehiyo ang mas marami pa nating mga kabataan (This means that with the proper collection of tariffs at our ports, our countrymen's journeys will be faster, our children will have the necessary educational resources, and we will be able to send more of our youth to college),” he added. 

Marcos then hailed the BOC's efforts to protect the country's borders from economic exploitation. 

He noted that the BOC confiscated more than P85.167 billion worth of smuggled goods last year, nearly doubling the P43.295 billion seized in 2023.

With this, the President called on the officials and personnel of the BOC to continue prioritizing public interest, work honestly, and ensure the people's welfare.

Marcos emphasized that building public confidence in the BOC is “necessary to increase tax compliance.”

He likewise congratulated the BOC's Leadership Awards recipients for their extraordinary work supporting the agency and the administration's objectives.

"This is the kind of leadership that Filipino citizens require and this is what they deserve. So, we celebrate the BOC's 123rd anniversary today with a challenge that involves everyone," he said. 

Further, the President expressed optimism that the awardees will continue to excel and lead the bureau into a new era of efficiency and integrity.

“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 officials, inspectors, and personnel of the BOC: Always prioritize the welfare of the people. Carry out your duties with full integrity and compassion for your fellow Filipinos),” he concluded.